Playing video games is not new, but in recent years, there has been a trend of wanting to see others play over the internet. In fact, the market is so remarkable that streaming sites like Twitch have amassed a large following for different games and “streamers,” or people who play for an audience.
The video game industry unknowingly helped shape this trend by putting challenging content in their game, including puzzles, jump scares, and even plot twists. A lot of gamers bond with one another through their mutual love for the games they play, and that is part of the reason they are curious to see how people play them.
With that said, not all games are fit for streaming for different reasons. There are games that have a lot more audience because they change every gameplay, and there are streams that have a niche following. If you’ve dreamed of becoming a professional streamer on Twitch or are simply curious what games are best to broadcast, here is a list.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
The latest in Valve’s Counter-Strike series, Global Offensive, or sometimes known as CS: GO, is one of the most popular games to stream on Twitch. It is a multiplayer first-person shooter game, meaning that you play with other people. Since the objective of the game is a struggle between terrorists and counterterrorists, there is no shortage of action.
Viewers can expect flashy gameplay from professional and amateur gamers alike as well as great game strategies. There are a lot of maps, weapons to choose from, and even objectives, so there is variety in the game.
CS: GO is primarily played on a desktop computer, and if you plan on playing it anytime soon, know that the game has PC requirements in order to run smoothly. Although the requirements are not as demanding as other graphically punishing games are, your best bet would be to get a high-quality gaming desktop or laptop because they are specifically designed to play games so you can get on the game with no worries.
Overwatch
Blizzard’s Overwatch was released in 2016, and since then, it has become popular among gamers for both PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. It is also a first-person shooter video game like CS: GO, but the similarities stop there. Overwatch has tons of interesting playable characters with backgrounds, and they are diverse, unlike in CS: GO, where you can only play as either a terrorist or soldier with no discernable names or backstories.
Additionally, it also has unlockable content that gamers can get just by logging a few hours, but there is also an option for microtransactions. A lot of people also rave about Blizzard’s efforts of making the lore unique for each of the characters.
Overwatch is a popular streaming game because its players often “main” a character or two and they follow pros or streaming personalities for tips, techniques, and to generally see the gameplay.
Defense of the Ancients 2
Another one from Valve, Defense of the Ancients 2, or Dota 2, is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game. Its origins can be traced back to being a mod for Blizzard’s Warcraft III game, and it was created so well that a lot of people started playing it, so it became a separate entity to what it is today. In the pro scene, it has the largest prize pool that can be won in the esports industry, with over $20 million at stake.
It is also a popular game to stream on Twitch, and it is known for its steep learning curve. However, it hasn’t stopped millions of fans worldwide from playing it even though it came out more than five years ago.
Gamers and Dota’s huge following have noted that it is highly addictive, and its ranked matchmaking makes it challenging for pros and amateurs to climb on top of leaderboards. Although it takes an average of at least 30 minutes to play and finish the game, Dota 2 remains in the top five of the most streamed and watched games on Twitch.
League of Legends
League of Legends, or LoL, is a MOBA game developed by Riot Games for the PC and is considered a rival for Dota 2. They have similar mechanics when it comes to winning the game, like destroying the base of the enemy and playing champions or heroes. Since it is a team-based game, players often have different roles with builds that can be customized according to needs.
One of the differences between the two is that, while both are freemium with microtransactions available, LoL champions are limited, and you can either play more to unlock more or buy at the Riot store. Both games are popular around the world, but it depends on which parts as they can be either more favored in Asia or North America.
Another major difference and why LoL is arguably friendlier than Dota 2 is that LoL is easier to get into because of its much-simpler gameplay.
Fortnite
Since its release in 2017, Fortnite has currently become the most-streamed game on Twitch. It can be played on a variety of platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch, Mac, and even Android, and it is currently introducing cross-play, which will make it possible for gamers on all platforms to play with one another.
One of the many reasons people are so attracted to the game is that you can play it for free, and its survival genre makes it fun to play against 99 other players.
Viewers can expect to see a lot of fast-paced action and combat to see who will be the last one to survive either by stealth, skills, pure luck, or a combination of the three. The rewards and cosmetic items are some things that are popular among its players too. However, because of its popularity, it can be hard to get an audience if you plan to stream it on Twitch, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.
PUBG
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or PUBG, is a competitive survival shooter video game not unlike Fortnite. It is also popular in Twitch, and many people agree that Fortnite was inspired by this game, especially the Battle Royale feature. Nevertheless, even though PUBG is not free-to-play, a lot of people still buy it because it has one of the best graphics out there.
The game was designed to make the play more intense as players get killed off by others. There’s also the looting system, which is sort of random because you don’t know what kind you’ll be getting, and you’re pressed to get the best because it helps you win the game. The better your gear, the better you’ll aim, and if you’re good, you’ll get the chicken dinner.
Streaming PUBG is recommended if you’re good at it, and while you can play solo, it’s ultimately better with a squad. If you do play with your friends, it is better if you voice-chat to quickly communicate about loot, potential dangers, and kills.
It’s Always Changing
Trends are what they are: they always change. The best games to stream on Twitch may be the ones mentioned above, but they can quickly change in as fast as a few days, weeks, or even months. You don’t have to play online games to have good content to stream; you can also play role-playing games and maybe puzzles that have a specific following. Just keep looking out for things that you know will trend or have a niche.
What do you think are the best games to stream on Twitch? Share your thoughts in the comments below.