Twitch streamers are people who stream a live show of them playing games and interacting with their followers through the site Twitch. They make up a diverse cast of people, from Pokemon card collectors to Zelda players to Call of Duty players.
Twitch has millions of watchers every day enjoying the platform and there are more people who self-identify as Twitch steamers than ever.
So, why do people tune in to watch them?
Why would people want to spend time watching normal people play video games and chat? Why has this turned into a multimillion-dollar industry in a relatively short space of time?
I have some thoughts.
Firstly, I think the point that they are “normal” people is important.
A lot of popular culture right now has shifted from the typical celebrities we are used to, pop stars, movie stars, and models, towards focusing on social media influencers, streamers, and Internet sensations.
I think a lot of this is due to the themes of relatability, accessibility, and the “anyone can make it” dream.
Where a lot of celebrity culture before used to deal with an ideology closer to idolatry, “celebrities” now are more often than not people who got famous using their own phone at home.
This is more relatable for viewers. It shows them that people just like them can get popular and make money by doing something they like. And, let’s be candid, something relatively easy with no qualifications needed to enter the field.
Secondly, it is a very fast-paced platform that has constant streams of entertainment available at any time of day.
Back in the day, we used to watch the same movies and music videos over and over again and never got sick of them. Now, the entertainment popular with young people focuses more on constant streams of entertainment which are consistently updated.
Twitch has live streams available from all around the world at any time of day.
You never have to feel alone or left out when you spend time watching streamers on Twitch. And this is the modern world’s solution to loneliness, especially in a post-pandemic world.
Constant streams of online companionship have become the norm.
Thirdly, and finally, I think it’s because games are fun and they have always been fun.
There is a world of gaming out there and there truly is something for every kind of viewer. While there are a lot of more negative-leaning things we could discuss about Twitch and how our teenagers and young adults interact online, it is important to note that Twitch can be a lot of harmless fun.
Take Zelda, for example. Zelda has been around since the ’90s and we are still enjoying watching Link go on his Hyrule adventures. There has to be something there more than just a simple, short-lasting dopamine hit.
Games are fun and they bring people together.
The ways in which they do that might be more modern and capitalist than ever before, but it’s still the same basic premise.
What do you think of gaming streamers? Do you enjoy Twitch? Give us your input and opinions in the comments below!