The streaming and esports industry is undergoing a monumental shift, as revealed by a recent report from GameSquare and Stream Hatchet.
In 2023, the esports audience dedicated over 2.7 billion hours to watching competitive content, a staggering 75% increase since 2019. This surge not only highlights a flourishing industry but also signifies a paradigm shift in audience behavior and digital content strategy.
Streaming Evolution: Beyond AAA Titles
Gone are the days when streaming was dominated solely by AAA titles and large-scale tournaments. The industry is now embracing a diverse array of independent games and the practice of multicasting, which allows simultaneous streaming across multiple platforms. This shift offers content creators unprecedented earning potential.
Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins: A Multicasting Advocate
Ninja, a streaming industry icon, has seen a 108% increase in his average audience since adopting multicasting in late 2022. His experience underscores the potential of this strategy.
Esports Tournaments: Record-Breaking and Evolving
League of Legends World Championship 2023
Leading the charge in viewership, the League of Legends 2023 World Championship boasted over 146 million hours viewed and a peak of 6.4 million concurrent viewers.
The Creator-Driven Content Era
However, the real game-changer is the content generated by creators and creator-backed events. Events like La Velada and Squidcraft Games, along with high-performing indie games, are proving the significant value of creator-built events and communities.
The Role of Co-Streaming and Game Genres
Co-Streaming’s Ascendance
Co-streaming channels accounted for over a third of the total audience in 2023, marking a significant shift in content consumption patterns.
Genre Shifts: RPGs and Adventure Games in the Spotlight
Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 are gaining popularity, while Battle Royale and FPS games see a dip, highlighting evolving audience preferences.
Opportunities for Indie Developers: Collaborations with Streamers
Indie developers now have a unique opportunity to collaborate with small to medium-sized streamers, leveraging their influence to gain global audience attention.
Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins on Multicasting
As the Director of Innovation at GameSquare, Ninja shares, “I love multicasting and believe it’s the future for all gaming content creators. Since switching in late 2022, I’ve never looked back. The audience growth and engagement have been thrilling, and I can connect with my fans simultaneously, no matter their platform.”
The Diversification of Content
GameSquare and Stream Hatchet’s report is a must-read for content creators and indie developers aiming to maximize revenue and audience engagement. With the esports industry stabilizing and gaining value, the coming years are pivotal and potentially lucrative for those adept at navigating this ever-evolving landscape.