If you look back far enough through the annals of entertainment history, you will find that video gaming was simply about playing the latest title for yourself. However, with the advent of YouTube and other video sharing sites, watching people play your favourite games became just as popular as experiencing them for yourself. Fast forward a few years and live streaming is now the latest trend in the gaming sphere, with top streamer Ninja now enjoying a net worth of over $3 million thanks to his gaming exploits. Users can now watch their favourite gamers playing the most popular titles in real time whilst interacting with them in a public chatbox. In addition to this, live version of games has helped enhance the user experience by incorporating various features into already popular titles.
Live Streaming Is Big Business
If the figures are to be believed, the value of the live streaming sector will reach $3 billion by the end of this year. No matter which way you look at it, these are huge figures and as a result, large corporations are starting to sit up and take note. With platforms such as Facebook Live and Twitch making it easier than ever before to both view live streams and set up your own, live streaming looks set to stay (at least until something bigger and better turns up to knock it off its perch). With the recent announcement of its Stadia service, Google has also thrown its hat into the live streaming ring. Stadia will remove the need for any expensive hardware, with a custom controller being the only physical component required to both play and stream your gaming experience live to YouTube.
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Gaming in the Moment
When it comes to live gaming, very few industries have picked up on just how much it can enhance the user experience. However, one sector that appears to be using live gaming to its advantage is the world of online casino. The industry has long been credited for reviving games such as bingo which are now enjoying a second wind – this best bingo sites list which showcases the best offers and bonuses is evidence of the plethora of options which are available in the online bingo landscape. The iGaming sector is now looking to enhance their games and most companies now offer live versions of blackjack, poker or roulette in order to provide a more immersive experience for the user.
GameStop to enter the eSports arena
The recent emergence of live streaming has led to an explosion of popularity within the eSports scene. eSports attracts millions of viewers around the world and is expected to be a $1.2 billion market by the end of 2019. As well as being live streamed on various platforms and terrestrial TV channels, other corporate giants are now getting involved – the latest being GameStop, who recently announced a partnership with eSports veteran Complexity Gaming. This will commence with the building of The GameStop Performance Center in Frisco, Texas, which will serve as the new headquarters of Complexity Gaming and signals GameStop’s intentions to breach the rapidly growing competitive gaming market. Elsewhere, state associations in New Jersey and New York are strongly considering adding eSports to their varsity lineup and there are growing indications that varsity eSports is ready to break into the mainstream. With popular streaming personalities such as Ninja and DrDisrespect popular amongst this demographic, the importance of live streaming cannot be understated in the current pop culture scene.
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Streaming Is Here To Stay
With faster processing speeds, more powerful computers and higher-quality HD cameras being released on a seemingly yearly basis, it’s getting easier to both watch and stream than ever before. In addition to this, setting up your own little streaming station costs less than ever before and so there’s never been a better time to get involved. With advertising revenue through the roof and major players all on board, live streaming looks set to go from strength to strength in the next few years or so.
