The Future of PC Gaming: Streaming Reviews for the Latest Releases.
Since its inception, computer gaming has been steadily evolving and growing in complexity and mastery. From the basic days of the first ever PC game Pong, to the groundbreaking release of Doom, more and more of the gaming population has been embedded in the world of virtual environments. As technology has advanced, so too has the gaming experience. PC gaming, specifically, has gone from an exclusive form of gaming to an industry rivaling console gaming with the development of robust streaming technology.
Today, streaming for video games has become a viable, and often preferential, method for playing and trying out games. As such, a whole new genre of content has been created; namely the gaming review, wherein a person (either a professional or a regular person) reviews a newly released game. Be it for the story, graphics, performance, or any combination of criteria, gaming reviews are essential for creating an environment around a game in which users can get an idea of what kind of an experience they might be in for.
Given the ever increasing complexity of PC games, and the sometimes overwhelming vastness of the gaming market, streaming reviews have become the go-to resource for people looking to try out the latest releases. From brief introductions to the game’s plot to review of the game’s performance on a variety of systems, streaming reviews provide an audience with the most important information they need to make an informed decision.
In this blog post we’ll be exploring PC gaming streaming reviews and how it has evolved as gaming has progressed. We’ll take a look at key features of streaming reviews that many consider important, and some of the most popular streaming reviews websites out there. We’ll also discuss the different types of gamers that prefer to view streaming reviews and why. Finally, we’ll discuss why streaming reviews are so important to the industry and the evolution of video games.
What Are PC Gaming Streaming Reviews?
PC gaming streaming reviews are like any other sort of review in that they provide a person (or review team) opinion on a newly released game. This opinion is based on how the game plays, handled, and appears on different PC platforms; making it easier for users to determine which game they’d like to purchase or try out.
Unlike most other reviews, they are typically posted in a video format as opposed to a written one. The reviewer often has a video capture device and microphone attached to their PC so that they can show live action footage and provide an oral account of the game’s performance.
The length of the streaming reviews will typically range from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the amount of information the reviewer has to share about the game. It should be noted, however, that the majority of the time, these reviews are of newly released games, so the reviewer isn’t able to provide an exhaustive look into the game’s performance over its lifespan.
Key Features of PC Gaming Streaming Reviews
When it comes to PC gaming streaming reviews, there are several features that make them appealing as opposed to written reviews. First and foremost, they are often times much more entertaining to watch than to read. Due to the live action footage and accompanying commentary, PC gaming streaming reviews can capture the attention of an audience more easily.
Another major key feature of these reviews is that they often provide a level of granularity that written reviews can’t necessarily do. When the reviewer has a video capture device attached to the PC, they can show how the game looks and performs with different settings. This can help highlight any technical issues a person may encounter with their specific setup and can help inform their decision on what games to purchase.
Finally, some reviews provide users with the ability to watch a playthrough of a full game. This can be extremely beneficial for gamers that don’t necessarily want to buy a game on a whim but want to see what a full playthrough would be like.
Most Popular PC Gaming Streaming Reviews Websites
There are numerous websites and online personalities that host streaming reviews for various video games. The most noteworthy of these are:
IGN – A popular gaming news website and one of the most-visited streaming review websites. This website provides an abundance of reviews and news that cover games ranging from blockbuster titles to more obscure titles.
Polygon – A digital media website that focuses primarily on gaming, entertainment, and culture. They also provide streaming reviews and are one of the more popular review sites, both in terms of viewership and the amount of reviews they put out.
GameSpot – Like IGN, GameSpot is a popular gaming news, reviews, and lifestyle site. They are among the most visited websites for reviews and PC related news, and their streaming reviews are no different.
Kotaku – A gaming, entertainment, and lifestyle blog website, best known for their gaming news and editorial coverage. They are highly active in the streaming review space and provide a variety of reviews across all gaming platforms.
Who Prefers PC Streaming Reviews?
There are many who prefer viewing streaming reviews as opposed to written reviews. The most common types of people that prefer to watch these reviews are:
Gamers looking for an unbiased opinion – Streaming reviews provide a platform for people to get a unbiased opinion about the latest video games. Likewise, streaming reviews are much easier to digest than written reviews, allowing viewers to get a quick impression without having to read dozens of pages of text.
Hardcore PC gamers – Hardcore PC gamers that strive to build a custom PC rig that can handle the latest and most graphically intensive games often times rely on streaming reviews to give them an idea of how well their systems will perform. With streaming reviews, they can get an actual look at how the game looks and runs on PC hardware before they purchase it.
Gamers looking to try out a game before buying – A large portion of the population will want to try a game before they buy it. This can be done in two ways; through free demos available from the developer or publisher, or by watching a streaming review. For those that don’t want to take a risk on a demo, watching a streaming review will give them a much better idea of what kind of experience they’ll have with a particular game.
Why Are PC Gaming Streaming Reviews Important
Streaming reviews for video games have become an integral part of the gaming industry. As mentioned earlier, it’s a way for people to get an idea of what a new game is like, as well as what kind of performance their setup can give them. It’s also a great way to discover games you might otherwise not have heard of.
Moreover, they are a great way for developers and publishers to get the word out about their games. Due to the low cost of creating a professional-grade streaming setup, even small developers and indie publishers can make attractive streaming reviews that showcase their games. This provides them with a publicity boost that would otherwise be lacking in marketing campaigns.
Finally, streaming reviews are essential for creating an environment where people can connect and learn from one another. In this kind of environment, gamers of all levels can give their opinion on different aspects of gaming, giving newcomers a way to discover more about their favorite games and the industry as a whole.
Conclusion
PC gaming streaming reviews are an essential aspect of the gaming industry today. Not only do they provide a platform for reviewers to share their opinions on the latest releases, but they also give PC gamers the ability to get an immediate impression of how a game performs without having to try it out first.
As the industry continues to evolve, streaming reviews will become more and more popular as the preferred means of discovering games and getting information about them. With this in mind, it’s important to think of ways that developers and publishers can better leverage streaming reviews in order to maximize their publicity and reach.
What do you think about PC gaming streaming reviews? Do you watch them or use them to inform your decisions about buying games? Let us know in the comments!
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