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62 per cent of gamers regularly watch online streams

62 per cent of gamers regularly watch online streams

Around 62 per cent of gamers watch a gaming stream at least a few times a week, according to a new report.

Analytics platform Qutee has conducted a report to gain insight to how gaming influencers currently feel about the games industry.

It interviewed almost 1,650 gamers and enthusiasts to gather information on how they consume gaming content, as well as speaking to handful of gaming influencers, gathering their thoughts on a number of topics surrounding the gaming industry.

Stream stats  

It's no secret that influencers are providing a new way to enjoy and experience games, and the streaming space is booming as a result.

Though 62 per cent of gamers watch a gaming stream at least a few times a week, 36 per cent said they would very rarely watch a stream, while two per cent of respondents to the survey had never viewed one.

The influencer's perspective

As part of the report, Qutee interviewed several high profile gaming influencers including CapgunTom, homelespenguin, Huzzy, lionheartx10, Marzbar, Oakelfish and Phylol.

Each influencer was asked for their top five games of the past five years. Grand Theft Auto: V, League of Legends and Playerunknown's Battlegrounds were frequent in the picks.

Each creator was also asked about their 2017 gaming highlights and lowlights. Both Oakelfish and Marzbar named the launch of PUBG as a big gaming highlight, as well as citing the growth of esports as a favourable event.

When it comes to issues facing the games industry, Homelespenguin, Phylol, Huzzy and CapgunTom all cited microtransactions as a prevalent concern.

"Whoever can afford to spend the most money is normally at an advantage within gaming and I am strongly against this method," said Homelespenguin.

"Gamers should be rewarded through skill and time spent playing, not by who has the most surplus cash."

PUBG became a gaming phenomenon in 2017

Developer goals

The creators predominantly focusing on FIFA were asked how EA Sports could improve FIFA in 2018.

Homelespenguin said EA Sports need to make the game more affordable to casual players, as so much is invested in microtransactions.

CapgunTom commented on the highly competitive nature of FIFA and suggested that EA Sports should dial back and refocus on making the title enjoyable for casual players as well as competitive ones.

Oakelfish echoed these sentiments and encouraged EA Sports to work on a game mode that favours casual and infrequent FIFA players.

Phylol and Huzzy meanwhile were both asked what Riot could do to improve the overall League of Legends experience for influencers.

Phylol said LoL's new rune system has made the popular MOBA unabalanced and urged Riot to address some champions that have been left behind after a recent overhaul.

Huzzy's concern was that LoL is opening up to a much larger, casual audience, and he's worried that the game may become stagnant in it's quest to become more accessible.

Huzzy also suggested that the in-game tribunal could make a comeback - a feature that puts the playerbase in charge of punishment for those who break community guidelines.

The future of streaming

It's now easier than ever to make gaming content for others to watch online. With the wealth of options available, just about anybody can pop on a headset, hit 'go' and share their favourite titles with the world.

Streams are also more accessible than ever; there's a vast host of platforms from the likes of Twitch and YouTube, to rising platforms such as Mixer and Caffeine. Even Facebook is getting in on the action.

These platforms are shaping themselves to function more like social networks with personal recommendations based on what viewers watch, rather than them having to find content themselves.

Watching streams is also a new way for gamers to digest games they may not have time to play, whilst engaging with like-minded people in a vibrant community that an influencer has cultivated. 

You can read the full Qutee report here.

Editor

Danielle Partis is editor of PocketGamer.biz and former editor of InfluencerUpdate.biz. She was named Journalist of the Year at the MCV Women in Games Awards 2019, as well as in the MCV 30 under 30 2020. Prior to Steel Media, she wrote about music and games at Team Rock.