Video game live streaming

People who live stream their video game play, either by hobby or profession, are known as streamers. The practice became popular in the mid-2010s on sites including YouTube and Twitch. By 2014, Twitch streams had more traffic than HBO's online service. Professional streamers often combine high-dexterity play and talk radio disc jockey commentary, and occasionally earn income from advertising and subscriptions. Amateur streamers spend long hours competing for an audience.

Overview

The practice of livestreaming video game play became popular in the mid-2010s on sites including YouTube and Twitch.^[1] By 2014, Twitch streams had more traffic than HBO's online service.^[2]

Streamers and viewers register for free accounts with service such as Twitch, which lets them interact with each other by name and subscribe ("follow") specific streamers. Home video game consoles, such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, contain built-in streaming and optional camera integration. Home computers use software such as Open Broadcaster Software or XSplit to upload a livestream to Twitch's servers.^[2]

Building an audience, CNET advises, is more difficult than setting up the software. Among other advice, game streamers recommend selecting a popular game, which is more likely to interest viewers than a rare title without a following. Popular titles in the mid-2010s include League of Legends, Dota 2, and first-person shooters such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Viewers are more interested in players who play and entertain well, offering jokes, pop culture, and current event commentary instead of repetitive gameplay. Streamers also recommend keeping a schedule so viewers know when to watch, self-promotion on social media, and giveaway contests to build a follower count.^[2]

Profession

Professional streamers often combine high-dexterity play and talk radio disc jockey commentary, and occasionally earn income from advertising and subscriptions. Amateur streamers spend long hours competing for an audience, as time spent away from streaming becomes an opportunity for followers to leave their channel. As a result, many streamers live unhealthy lifestyles, with extended sedentary activity, poor diet, and little sleep. A medical doctor and obesity specialist at the Mayo Clinic described the lifestyle as appearing "intuitively and medically ... an unwise way to spend one's years". After the death of a streamer reaching the end of a 24-hour marathon session, other professional streamers spoke publicly about their exhaustion from streaming and their resulting heart, spinal, and weight problems. Others found equilibrium and longevity in streaming less often, pulling in fewer but more dedicated viewers, and in varying their stream content to include activities such as exercise.^[1]

References

Further reading