Video game streaming has experienced significant growth in 2021, with more players and streamers entering the scene. Video game streaming involves live video gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, and has become an essential part of the gaming industry, offering opportunities for monetizing content. In Q1 2021, Twitch and YouTube Gaming combined to stream over 27 billion hours of live gaming content, a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. The exponential increase in the number of streamers, which stands at over 9.36 million on Twitch and over 1 million on YouTube, has contributed to this growth. The Covid-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in gaming streaming’s popularity, as people look for more entertainment sources while staying at home.
Video Game Streaming Sees Huge Growth in 2021
Introduction:
The year 2021 has brought a significant increase to the world of video game streaming, with many players and streamers coming into the scene. This has led to a significant surge in the number of viewers and the hours of streamed content. Let’s take a closer look at this development.
Gaming Streaming: Definition and Importance
Video game streaming is the process of broadcast live video gameplay on internet platforms such as Twitch or Youtube. This has become an essential part of the gaming industry and has even created opportunities for players and streamers to monetize their content. With the ongoing pandemic and people looking for more ways to entertain themselves at home, gaming streaming has become an increasingly popular option.
2021 Streaming Statistics
According to data collected by Streamelements, Twitch and Youtube Gaming combined to stream more than 27 billion hours of live gaming content in the first quarter of 2021. This number increased by 6% compared to the same period last year.
Twitch had a total of 6.34 billion hours watched in Q1, with League of Legends, GTA V, and Fortnite being the top streamed games. Youtube Gaming also saw an increase in viewership, with 1.05 billion hours watched in the same period, with Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and Roblox being the top three most-streamed games.
The Rising Number of Streamers
One of the most significant factors contributing to this growth is the exponential increase in the number of streamers. The latest statistics show that Twitch has over 9.36 million streamers, and YouTube Gaming has over 1 million. Gaming streamers earned an estimated $9.5 billion in 2020, and this number is expected to increase further with the recent growth of viewership.
Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for the increased popularity of video game streaming. With people staying at home, online gaming has become a more significant source of entertainment, and fans have turned to watching their favorite streamers play games as a form of escape from their daily lives. This trend is likely to continue, even after the pandemic is over.
Conclusion
Video game streaming has become an integral part of the gaming industry and has seen significant growth in 2021. With more streamers joining the scene, the viewership numbers are expected to continue rising. And as the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about changes in how people consume entertainment, gaming streaming has become an increasingly popular source of entertainment.