Esports Streaming Platforms
Twitch
Twitch is a top live-streaming platform, mainly on video games, in which its users can broadcast and view live game play, esports tournaments, and creative work. It went live in June 2011 as a subsidiary of Justin.tv before it rose to become huge and was absorbed as a subsidiary of Amazon in 2014.
As of recent figures, Twitch has around 2.3 million daily viewers, with a record high of more than 6.6 million concurrent viewers on June 24, 2022. Viewers spent a total of about 1.7 billion hours watching on the platform in August 2023. The platform also has a large community of content creators, with millions of unique broadcasters entertaining audiences globally.
YouTube
YouTube is an international video-sharing service established in 2005 through which users are able to share, upload, and view huge amounts of diverse content, from music videos, tutorials, vlogs, and live streams, among others. It has emerged over the years as a convergence point for global content creators and viewers.
In the video gaming industry, YouTube has seen rapid expansion. As of June 2024, the site's gaming content had 6 billion monthly views, a sizable leap from 4 billion monthly views in the latter part of 2022. This spike highlights the increased demand for videos that focus on gaming, such as game footage, instructions, and live streaming.
Net Influencer.
A prime example is Minecraft, which, as of May 2024, had garnered 1.5 trillion views on YouTube, attesting to the platform's contribution to gaming content popularity. Also, YouTube's worldwide user base is estimated to hit 2.85 billion by 2025, showcasing its widespread coverage and influence.
Discord
Discord is a versatile communication platform launched in 2015, designed to facilitate voice, video, and text interactions within communities known as servers. Initially tailored for gamers, Discord has expanded to host diverse groups, including study circles, hobbyists, and professional teams. Users can join or create servers, each containing multiple channels dedicated to specific topics or activities, enabling organized and real-time discussions.
As of 2024, Discord has around 150 million monthly active users and hosts about 19 million weekly active servers, highlighting its far-reaching use. citeturn0search6 Among gamers, Discord is still a focal point; for example, the Blox Fruits server, which focuses on the game, had more than 1.1 million members as of May 2023. When it comes to downloads, Discord had around 23.7 million downloads across the globe in Q4 2023, indicating its consistent popularity among consumers.
Steam TV
Steam TV is the live streaming platform of Valve Corporation that is embedded in the Steam environment, which allows users to stream and view live gameplay. It was launched in 2018 as a platform for content related to games, such as live streams of popular games, esports competitions, and developer demos.
As of recent figures, Steam TV has seen impressive viewership figures. For example, it hit a high of 235,691 concurrent viewers in the past 30 days. But detailed download numbers for Steam TV aren't clearly indicated, as it is integrated with the overall Steam platform. Steam itself has an enormous user base, with millions of active users across the globe, many of whom use Steam TV's streaming services.
How can you make a good career in Esports ?
Establishing a lucrative career in esports involves hard work, skill acquisition, and careful planning. To start with, select your game of specialty and specialize in it by practicing constantly. Participating in competitive tournaments, either locally or online, enhances exposure and experience. Most wannabe players advance through ranks by competing in small leagues before professional teams discover them.
Networking is crucial in esports; engaging with the community, joining esports forums, and streaming gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube can boost visibility. Aspiring professionals can also consider esports coaching, content creation, or analysis roles if playing competitively isn’t their primary goal.
There are several methods of earning in esports. Tournament prizes are the most immediate source of income for professional players. Sponsorships and brand partnerships offer extra revenue for established players or influencers. Streaming on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming enables players to earn from ad revenue, subscriptions, and donations. Most esports athletes also produce content, providing tutorials, game reviews, or vlogs to entertain their viewers.
Another avenue is becoming a member of an esports organization, which offers salaries, sponsorships, and funding. Training and coaching future players, blogging for esports websites, or running esports events are also profitable career paths.