While gaming audiences consumed content prior to June 2011, Twitch’s emergence showcased that live streaming had the potential to alter the face of video game experiences. Over the past ten years, real-time videos have arguably surpassed all expectations. In fact, the phenomenon has changed the way in which gamers engage with the industry, with some now preferring to watch gameplay instead of immersing themselves in the latest titles. So, lets look at the impact that streaming has had on the traditional gaming and iGaming market
Online Casinos Have Benefited Greatly
Theres a common misconception that Twitch – the go-to platform for real-time gaming content is solely dedicated to mainstream video games. Of course, titles like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto, and League of Legends account for a considerable share of the platforms content, but the ten-year-old service isnt only for MMOs, open-world games, and shooters. Within Twitchs directory, viewers can explore a catalog of casino-related channels. Streamers cover a whole host of different betting avenues, including blackjack, poker, slots, virtual games, and much more. Although the streaming platform hasnt revolutionized gambling, it has taken the high-stakes sector to a new millennial audience.
From a playing standpoint, its impossible to overlook how dramatically live streaming has impacted the iGaming sector. In seeking to replicate the thrill of land-based betting, platforms like Genesis Casino have turned to live dealer games. In addition to hosting real-time variants of traditional table games, such as baccarat, blackjack, and roulette, live streaming has opened the door to new possibilities. Within the operator’s wide-ranging library, users can immerse themselves in Deal or No Deal Live or Monopoly Live, which brings a pop-culture spin to the iGaming industry.
The Future of Mainstream Gaming
Although eSports dates back to the late-1990s, competitive gaming rose to prominence during the early-2010s. The new-found popularity coincided with Twitchs emergence and the introduction of YouTube Live in 2013. Its not outlandish to say that competitive gaming wouldnt have hit the heights in the manner it has without streaming platforms. Creative ways of streaming have brought audiences together through a shared interest in gaming, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.
It speaks volumes about streaming’s role in the traditional gaming sector that Twitch currently has 140 million monthly active users, as per Backlinko. Not only that, but, in total, League of Legends a top-three eSports title has 35.67 billion hours of watch time on the streaming platform. Real-time videos enable video games to rival traditional sports from a spectator standpoint. In 2019, the LoL World Championship had a record-breaking total of over 100 million viewers. The Super Bowl, meanwhile, attracted 100.7 million spectators during the same year.
Where Would Gaming be Without Streaming?
Make no mistake about it, live streams have raised the bar from a traditional and casino gaming standpoint. Along with striving to attract a broader audience base to different entertainment avenues, real-time videos are spearheading eSports rise to compete with much-loved sports regarding viewership figures. Given that streaming remains somewhat in its infancy, theres scope for further growth over the coming years.
