So I watch Twitch.tv occasionally on the trainer because 1.) it reminds me of playing when I was younger and 2.) it’s easier/more productive than trying to play video games while cycling. I was watching some Counter Strike yesterday and the streamer flashed his “Top Donators” page which I’ve linked a screenshot of below. DAMN! On top of those donations, he also gets subscription fees from Twitch. He has 460,000 followers so I’m guessing 2-4,000 subscribers at $5/month apiece (I think he keeps $3.50 of that and $1.50 goes to Twitch).
Not a bad living for playing video games… and this guy wasn’t even that entertaining. Some people on Twitch are extremely entertaining “born for the camera” types.
My 19 year old son things he will make a living playing video games and spends 40 hours a week on this stuff. Wonder what the unintended consequences of all this will be? I think this stuff is the new “sports” viewing for a lot of folks.
My 19 year old son things he will make a living playing video games and spends 40 hours a week on this stuff. Wonder what the unintended consequences of all this will be? I think this stuff is the new “sports” viewing for a lot of folks.
Same with my 20 year old son. He’s studying computer science and wants to make a living in gaming, although he realizes he may not have the talent to do it playing. He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing. ESPN actually covered some big tournament on it’s ESPN3 platform recently.
My 19 year old son things he will make a living playing video games and spends 40 hours a week on this stuff. Wonder what the unintended consequences of all this will be? I think this stuff is the new “sports” viewing for a lot of folks.
Same with my 20 year old son. He’s studying computer science and wants to make a living in gaming, although he realizes he may not have the talent to do it playing. He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing. ESPN actually covered some big tournament on it’s ESPN3 platform recently.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the successful Twitch streamers aren’t necessarily “good”. In fact, some of them are very average players. However, they are very entertaining people. Good music, funny commentary, great interaction with their viewers… just entertaining.
I’m convinced E-Sports will be mainstream within the next decade and be a legitimate professional career along the lines of baseball, basketball, etc. I watched an ESL Counter Strike tournament this past October… winning team got $100,000 I think… and it was far more entertaining than any mainstream sporting event I’ve watched in the last five years.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the successful Twitch streamers aren’t necessarily “good”. In fact, some of them are very average players. However, they are very entertaining people. Good music, funny commentary, great interaction with their viewers… just entertaining.
And this is why people are paying them. They aren’t being paid to play video games, they are being paid to entertain.
please tell me how this works because before your post I had never heard of Twitch (I assumed there was a poll of STers income on the right side that I missed). Do people subscribe to certain gamers then get to watch live (or video feed) of them playing the game? Is the video focused on them playing, the screen or both?
I don’t get it but perhaps thats because I am a weak COD player.
**One thing I’ve noticed is that the successful Twitch streamers aren’t necessarily “good”. In fact, some of them are very average players. However, they are very entertaining people. Good music, funny commentary, great interaction with their viewers… just entertaining. **
So, how soon before this turns into soft core, topless type stuff?
He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing. ESPN actually covered some big tournament on it’s ESPN3 platform recently.
Well at least that helps me understand the plot of the South Park two part season finale.
And this is why people are paying them.
We could also get into a long winded discussion of how this is another indictment against our education system but I am inclined to think it is more of a sad commentary on what passes for entertainment these days.
please tell me how this works because before your post I had never heard of Twitch (I assumed there was a poll of STers income on the right side that I missed). Do people subscribe to certain gamers then get to watch live (or video feed) of them playing the game? Is the video focused on them playing, the screen or both?
I don’t get it but perhaps thats because I am a weak COD player.
You can watch any of the Twitch streams for free and you can “follow” them for free (which is like “subscribing” on YouTube). Subscribing just gets you in a different chat room that’s more likely to be seen/responded to by the streamer. It’s also a way of saying “hey thanks you’re really entertaining, here’s some money.”
For some streamers, subscribing makes you eligible to play with them in a subscriber game or in a public game (which is also streamed). For other streamers this requires a donation. Some of the streamers run give-aways (last night was an PS4 on the channel I was watching).
I’m a Battlefield and CS fan. CS I bounce around a lot but for Battlefield there are some regulars I follow linked below:
He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing. ESPN actually covered some big tournament on it’s ESPN3 platform recently.
Well at least that helps me understand the plot of the South Park two part season finale.
And this is why people are paying them.
We could also get into a long winded discussion of how this is another indictment against our education system but I am inclined to think it is more of a sad commentary on what passes for entertainment these days.
Why is this a “sad commentary”? Do you play video games? Have you? Have you watched any streams on twitch? Beats the hell out of watching copy/paste ESPN/CBS/NBC/ABC.
He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing.
If any of you have kids into Minecraft, this is true. My two youngest, 10 & 7 have mastered watching Stampy’s YouTube videos on their Kindle while playing Minecraft on XBox or the laptop.
I’m shocked at how many people and apparently how relatively easy it is to make money. My son has a kid in his class that does “Walk thrus” of various games along with a few reviews etc. WE are talking 10-11 years old. Apparently he had enough views to sell advertising and was making anywhere from 100-300$ a month. Not huge money but for a 10 year kid that is doing what he likes to do that’s HUGE money.
He’s convinced video games as a spectator sport is the next big thing. ESPN actually covered some big tournament on it’s ESPN3 platform recently.
Well at least that helps me understand the plot of the South Park two part season finale.
And this is why people are paying them.
We could also get into a long winded discussion of how this is another indictment against our education system but I am inclined to think it is more of a sad commentary on what passes for entertainment these days.
Why is this a “sad commentary”? Do you play video games? Have you? Have you watched any streams on twitch? Beats the hell out of watching copy/paste ESPN/CBS/NBC/ABC.
I wouldn’t say “it is a sad commentary,” but this is weird as hell to me. I could never have imagined that there are people out there who would pay to watch others plays video games, guess I was wrong. Nothing should surprise me any more.
