Game streaming is part of the entertainment industry that has been quietly expanding in the background and has now exploded into the limelight and made its way to the first page of search results. Once a private hobby that people did more or less independently to relax, gaming is now something shared with the general public by streamers who have managed to turn it into their career, in a part-time or even full-time way.
Though people may have laughed at something like game streaming in the earlier years, it’s one of the fastest-growing parts of the entertainment industry because of the sheer demand and categories available for you to fit into. So, if you wish to learn about how to stream your gaming and want to find out more about how streaming became a source of income, then keep reading below!
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Popular Game Streamers
To give you a better idea of some big names in the game streaming industry, here are some names you’re probably familiar with who have made a big name for themselves, primarily on YouTube.
PewDiePie
Even if you’re not an active follower, there’s no way you haven’t at least heard of the Swedish YouTuber, PewDiePie. He started his channel in 2010, and it was one of the fastest-growing channels in 2012 and 2013. His platform has over 110 million subscribers, and his primary focus has always been Let’s Play style videos, a trend that many people began to pick up on afterward.
Markiplier
Another popular YouTuber with over 32 million subscribers, Markiplier’s focus is also Let’s Play style games, focusing on survival horror games in particular fun for sure, but not the same as real ghost hunting using an REM Pod!. His Five Nights at Freddy’s series was especially a big hit and has continued to be every time a new game launches in the franchise. He’s been the unofficial title holder of the King of Five Nights at Freddy’s!
Jacksepticeye
The Ireland-based YouTuber, Jacksepticeye is known for the weird and unconventional selection of games that he features on his channel. His commentaries really took off with people, and he was able to turn a hobby of streaming into a full-time career. This success led him to co-launch a clothing brand with Markiplier in 2018, and he was even signed under the Disney Digital Network, which gives you an idea of just how far a streaming career can go!
Streaming Platforms
Although the mentioned streamers primarily post on YouTube, that’s definitely not the only route you can take to be able to stream!
Twitch
Twitch is a live streaming service that is primarily used to stream gaming content; it also broadcasts esports tournaments as and when they happen. Twitch really took off between 2013 and 2014, and it was when they bought Curse in 2016 that creators were able to start receiving commissions for the games that they played. Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch are just some of the popular titles that are frequently streamed on the platform.
YouTube
Although YouTube also offers a live streaming service, when it comes to gaming content, Twitch is usually the go-to platform. However, as shown by the above creators, YouTube may be a good option if you’re not too keen on live streaming to start with and would rather upload videos where you have a bit more control over editing and can fine-tune your content before posting. It’s also a bit more flexible time-wise as if you need to pause in between, you can do so and pick up again with a bit of editing magic. Youtube revenue usually comes about from advertisements before the actual video plays or from brand sponsorships. Even now, it’s undoubtedly a viable career option because of how much interest is out there.
When Did Game Streams Become Popular?
As you might have noticed, what was just a lot of interest in gaming became a public/community-based activity from 2010 onwards. Before that, there was definitely a gap in the market for that sort of content, but as the internet grew, so did the amount of interest. PewDiePie was definitely one of the first prominent gaming creators, and from there on out, a lot more interest in gaming was generated. It led to Let’s Play commentaries becoming more popular, as well as live streaming. And when big companies saw how much demand there was for it, it created a space to turn activities that were just a hobby before into professional careers!
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