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Is there any evidence that game streaming is an effective way to promote games? Game publishers often ask YouTubers, VTubers, and Twitch streamers to promote th

Is there any evidence that game streaming is an effective way to promote games? Game publishers often ask YouTubers, VTubers, and Twitch streamers to promote their games, but it is rare for these efforts to actually increase the popularity of a game. It is not that the games become more popular because they are streamed, but rather that the streamers are streaming popular games in order to attract viewers.

zs234465234165 3y ago
I personally only buy games after I watch them played on stream
PsylentKnight 3y ago
Like many cause and effect relationships, I think it flows both ways.
treme 3y ago
I've read of at least one indie dev that got their break after a medium~big streamer with something like 500k followers. it gave them the spike to get themselves featured on front page on steam, and enable virtuous cycle. https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/12zdtv1/3_years_ago_i_didnt_know_how_to_code_now_my_game/ https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/12zdtv1/3_years_ago...
gryn 3y ago
Eh, if my memory serve me correctly among us only got popular after some streamers started playing it, same applies to a lot of smaller games. vampire survivor too, I think ?
viraptor 3y ago
Do steamers make games popular, or do steamers go for popular games? Yes. Both. And the sponsored time bought from variety steamers pretty much proves the effectiveness. It wouldn't continue happening if it wasn't worth it for the distributors. Since the links published during the stream are attributable to the source, they get a good signal that it pays off. (+ Personal anecdote: I bought some games just because I saw them on Twitch)
norman784 3y ago
There are a lot of games I only knew about it because I follow some streamers that plays games genre I like. I don’t know other way to learn about new games if not by a streamer or promoted on steam home page, steam has an awful algorithm, so you wouldn’t be recommended a lot of new games, just the same games most of the time.
nindalf 3y ago
Sample size of 1 here but I only buy games that streamers or YouTubers I know enjoyed. When I was younger it was because I was constrained by money. Money isn’t a problem anymore but I’m constrained by time. So I trust the recommendations of people with tastes similar to mine.
trinovantes 3y ago
Among Us was basically unheard of for a few years after its 2018 release before it got popularize by streamers in 2020
the_af 3y ago
Anecdata: I've bought games after watching gameplay by streamers I like and respect. For example, if you are borderline about investing in DCS (combat flightsim) and related gear, watching someone like Growling Sidewinder can tip you over. It hasn't convinced me yet because I don't wish to buy the required rig, but it might. And I bought Il-2 after watching another channel's gameplay videos.

zs234465234165 3y ago

I personally only buy games after I watch them played on stream

PsylentKnight 3y ago

Like many cause and effect relationships, I think it flows both ways.

treme 3y ago

I've read of at least one indie dev that got their break after a medium~big streamer with something like 500k followers. it gave them the spike to get themselves featured on front page on steam, and enable virtuous cycle. https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/12zdtv1/3_years_ago_i_didnt_know_how_to_code_now_my_game/ https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/12zdtv1/3_years_ago...

gryn 3y ago

Eh, if my memory serve me correctly among us only got popular after some streamers started playing it, same applies to a lot of smaller games. vampire survivor too, I think ?

viraptor 3y ago

Do steamers make games popular, or do steamers go for popular games? Yes. Both. And the sponsored time bought from variety steamers pretty much proves the effectiveness. It wouldn't continue happening if it wasn't worth it for the distributors. Since the links published during the stream are attributable to the source, they get a good signal that it pays off. (+ Personal anecdote: I bought some games just because I saw them on Twitch)

norman784 3y ago

There are a lot of games I only knew about it because I follow some streamers that plays games genre I like. I don’t know other way to learn about new games if not by a streamer or promoted on steam home page, steam has an awful algorithm, so you wouldn’t be recommended a lot of new games, just the same games most of the time.

nindalf 3y ago

Sample size of 1 here but I only buy games that streamers or YouTubers I know enjoyed. When I was younger it was because I was constrained by money. Money isn’t a problem anymore but I’m constrained by time. So I trust the recommendations of people with tastes similar to mine.

trinovantes 3y ago

Among Us was basically unheard of for a few years after its 2018 release before it got popularize by streamers in 2020

the_af 3y ago

Anecdata: I've bought games after watching gameplay by streamers I like and respect. For example, if you are borderline about investing in DCS (combat flightsim) and related gear, watching someone like Growling Sidewinder can tip you over. It hasn't convinced me yet because I don't wish to buy the required rig, but it might. And I bought Il-2 after watching another channel's gameplay videos.