Why are you Twitching so much?

Full-time Professional Game streamers are a fascinating element of the industry.

I’ve been following or watching Streamers for about 2 years, they harvest massive audiences.

Twitch.TV started 5 years ago was acquired on September 25, 2014, by Amazon.com and is one of the platforms that make it happen. Games or Clans stream directly from any console or Computer with full on cameras and live chat moderated by Bots.

To actually make direct money Streamers need to build up a following or channel averaging 15,000+ views per video and have over 100,000+ subscribers.

Big numbers but it seems this is easy for sponsored streamers or clans. Advertisers are playing attentions as the viewer is gently spammed with product ads before and throughout the stream.

A subscriber or donator typically spends $5+ per month.

It’s like reality TV for Gamers, you can sit back and be entertained as Gamers spill out real reactions to all the genres. Horror games are particularly fun to watch, cover your ears for gut level profanity.

No doubt these channels are monitored heavily by Game Publishers to see which games are watched most. However, the downside must be the unavoidable Spoilers. Why buy the game when you can watch someone complete it.  Titles like Until Dawn, which have a relatively linear story line make it pointless spending $50+ for the game.

Back in the 80’s, there was always the kid hanging around the Arcade watching me getting high scores on Mr. Do and Gauntlet but never playing.

30 years later, I am that kid watching, laughing and enjoying the gamers’ reactions just as much as the game itself.