Viva La Dirt League: From Humble Beginnings to YouTube Comedy Icons

Viva La Dirt League (VLDL) is a New Zealand-based YouTube group specializing in comedic skits that parody the quirks of gaming, fantasy, and everyday geek culture. The group was founded primarily by Alan Morrison and Rowan Bettjeman, who initially came together with a shared love of games and humour. They began creating small skits inspired by video game tropes and quickly gained attention for their unique style and relatability among gamers.

As VLDL’s popularity grew, they brought in other talent, including Ben Van Lier and later Adam King, who joined the team officially after the channel had started gaining traction. With the addition of regular actors like Ellie Harwood, Byron Coll, and others, VLDL’s skits became more dynamic, allowing for a variety of character types and fresh humor in each series.

Popular Viva La Dirt League Series

Viva La Dirt League has created several iconic series on their channel, each targeting a different aspect of gaming or geek culture:

Epic NPC Man – Perhaps their most famous series, Epic NPC Man is set in the fictional fantasy world of "Skycraft" (a spoof on The Elder Scrolls and other RPG games). It follows the daily lives of NPCs, highlighting the limitations of these programmed characters and the humorous scenarios they encounter. Alan Morrison plays Greg, a clueless NPC with an often baffled take on the player-controlled adventurers, while Rowan Bettjeman stars as Bodger, a hapless blacksmith with dubious skills.

Bored – A workplace comedy set in a tech and gaming store, Bored follows the strange encounters between employees and customers. This series humorously explores tech and retail stereotypes, with recurring characters bringing a mix of dry humour and over-the-top situations to life.

PUBG Logic – Based on the game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), this series reenacts the often absurd logic and chaotic gameplay players experience in battle royale games. From awkward weapon handling to the bizarre behaviours players adopt, PUBG Logic is a fan favourite for its playful exaggeration of the game’s mechanics.

D&D Logic – A newer series, D&D Logic takes on the tropes and oddities of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. The characters’ attempts to navigate the rules and unexpected scenarios bring humour to classic RPG moments, making it a hit with tabletop enthusiasts.

Recurring Characters

VLDL’s characters are as iconic as the series they belong to, and the main cast plays various roles across these series:

Greg (Alan Morrison) – The bewildered NPC from Epic NPC Man, often confused by the actions of player-controlled characters.

Bodger (Rowan Bettjeman) – The blacksmith NPC in Epic NPC Man, known for his lack of skill and often misguided confidence.

Adam (Adam King) – Appearing in multiple series, Adam plays a variety of roles that highlight the quirks of gaming and retail interactions.

Ben (Ben Van Lier) – Known for his intense, larger-than-life characters, Ben adds a bold energy to many skits, particularly in Epic NPC Man and PUBG Logic.

Ellie (Ellie Harwood) – Often playing strong female characters, Ellie’s roles add depth and variety to VLDL’s series, especially in D&D Logic and Epic NPC Man.

Byron (Byron Coll) – Known for his eccentric characters, Byron frequently appears in various series, adding unpredictable and humorous elements.

Production and Growth

Starting with basic setups and simple skits, Viva La Dirt League has grown tremendously, now boasting high production quality with elaborate sets, costumes, and effects that rival those of professional studios. Supported by a loyal fan base on Patreon, they’ve been able to fund increasingly ambitious projects, expanding their world-building and exploring new concepts.

Today, Viva La Dirt League has cemented itself as a staple in the online gaming community. Their blend of humour, creativity, and genuine love for gaming resonates with fans around the world, making them a go-to YouTube channel for relatable, high-quality gaming and fantasy comedy.