Introduction
In recent years, we have seen the rise of the streaming community in the gaming industry. Millions of people tune into platforms like Twitch and YouTube every day to watch their favorite streamers play games, interact with their chat, and offer their opinions on different aspects of gaming. As a result, it has become one of the most influential groups in the gaming industry, with the potential to drive real-world change. In this blog post, we will explore whether the streaming community can generate real-world influence on gaming development.
The Rise of the Streaming Community
Before diving deeper into the topic, it’s important to understand the history and rise of the streaming community. The streaming community started as a niche hobby, with gamers using platforms like Livestream and Justin.tv to broadcast their gameplay to a small audience. However, with the advent of Twitch in 2011, the streaming community began to take off. Twitch offered a platform specifically built for gaming and attracted streamers from all over the world. Today, Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular websites on the internet.
The streaming community’s impact is not limited to Twitch, though. YouTube Gaming and Facebook Gaming have also emerged as major players in the streaming industry. In fact, YouTube Gaming surpassed Twitch in total hours watched in 2020, showcasing the diversity of the streaming world.
The Power of the Streaming Community
One of the most significant advantages of the streaming community is its size and reach. Millions of people watch streams every day, and these viewers come from all over the world. Therefore, streamers have the ability to reach an audience bigger than most traditional media outlets.
This reach also extends to the industry itself. Developers and publishers are aware of the streaming community’s influence and often work with them to promote and market their games. They understand that a streamer’s endorsement can bring a massive boost to their game’s popularity, and a negative review can be equally detrimental.
Real-World Influence on Game Development
So, can the streaming community generate real-world influence on gaming development? In short, yes. Streamers have the power to influence developers and publishers in various ways, from game design to marketing.
Game Design
Streamers’ feedback can be invaluable to game developers. They can offer a unique perspective on game design, providing feedback on gameplay mechanics, user interface, and more. Developers can listen to this feedback and incorporate it into future updates.
One example of this is Twitch Plays Pokemon. In 2014, a programmer created a game that allowed Twitch chat to control the character in Pokemon Red. Over 1.16 million people played the game, and it became a massive success. Developers took notice of this and started implementing Twitch integration into their games, allowing viewers to control game elements via chat.
Marketing
Streamers can also have a massive influence on a game’s marketing campaign. Developers often partner with popular streamers to showcase their games, giving them early access or exclusive content. This partnership generates interest in the game and can lead to increased sales.
One significant example is Fortnite. Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, saw the potential of streamers early on and partnered with popular Twitch streamers to promote their game. This partnership grew into massive popularity and helped propel Fortnite to its current status as one of the most popular games in the world.
Social Issues
Many streamers are also vocal about social issues in the gaming world. They use their platform to discuss topics like discrimination, harassment, and diversity. This conversation can influence developers, who may be inspired to create games that are more inclusive and progressive.
For example, in 2021, the streaming community made waves when they criticized the lack of diversity in Resident Evil Village. Players and streamers alike called out the game’s portrayal of one of its bosses, Lady Dimitrescu. The community brought attention to the over-sexualization of the character and the lack of representation in the game. The developers responded by pledging to be more inclusive in future games, recognizing the power of the streaming community.
Conclusion
The streaming community has become a vital player in the gaming industry, with the potential to generate real-world influence on game development. Its reach and impact are undeniable, and developers and publishers recognize this. Streamers’ feedback, marketing power, and social influence can all lead to tangible changes in the games we play. As the streaming community continues to grow, so does its influence, and we can only expect a more significant impact in the years to come.
Image Credit: Pexels