Live streaming has become an essential factor in determining the success of new video game releases. Streamers serve as influential intermediaries, offering players a glimpse of a game’s quality, depth, and entertainment value. As a result, games that resonate with streaming audiences often enjoy increased visibility and sales. By analyzing the performance of top game launches on live-streaming platforms in 2023 and 2024, publishers can better predict trends that are likely to shape the industry in 2025.

Successful Game Launches on iLive Streaming

Game Launch Success vs Hours Watched

One of the most effective ways to measure the success of a game on live streaming is by examining the total hours watched during its first 30 days post-release. This metric goes beyond the initial launch-day hype, revealing which games sustain viewer interest through engaging content. In this category, Diablo IV emerged as a leader, accumulating 168 million hours watched within the first month. Its performance was bolstered by the game’s established fanbase and a robust marketing campaign that included innovative promotional efforts.

Sequels were a recurring theme among the most-watched games, with titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, EA Sports FC 25, and the World of Warcraft expansion The War Within performing well. This trend highlights the strong appeal of established franchises to live streaming audiences. Newer titles such as Palworld and Black Myth: Wukong, which drew comparisons to existing intellectual properties like Pokémon and Elden Ring, also achieved considerable success, indicating that familiarity often plays a key role in capturing viewer interest.

ARPG and Sequel Launches 

The Growth Trajectory of Smaller Titles

For smaller games and indie titles, initial visibility is often limited, making sustained growth after launch a critical factor for success. These games typically rely on early adopters and streamer enthusiasm to gain momentum. Games like Only Up! exemplify this trend, experiencing a significant increase in viewership by providing a straightforward yet challenging experience that resonated with streamers and their audiences.

Collaborative games, such as Lethal Company and Pico Park 2, also demonstrated strong growth by leveraging co-op gameplay, which encouraged streamers to engage with one another and share audiences. Similarly, titles with unique mechanics or shock value, like the psychological horror game MiSide, gained traction as streamers sought innovative content to showcase.

Indie and Co-Op Game Launches

The Importance of Peak Viewership

Peak viewership is another important metric, particularly for advertisers seeking to maximize the impact of their campaigns. Games with high peak viewership often attract significant attention during their most active periods. In 2023 and 2024, Path of Exile 2 stood out with the highest peak viewership at 1.4 million, reflecting the appeal of its fast-paced gameplay and the complexity that drives players to seek expert guidance from streamers.

Shooter games, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, also performed well, drawing large audiences with their action-oriented content and high skill ceilings. Meanwhile, survival titles like Sons of the Forest and The Day Before successfully combined suspenseful gameplay with horror elements, creating a sense of tension that captivated viewers.

Shooters and Horror Game Launches

Airtime Hours and Streamer Engagement

Airtime hours provide insight into the commitment of streamers to a particular game, which often translates into sustained viewer engagement. Games based on well-known intellectual properties (IPs), such as Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy, dominated this category, benefiting from their established fanbases and immersive worlds. RPGs, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, also featured prominently, as streamers were drawn to their expansive narratives and long campaigns.

Predicting Game Streaming Trends for 2025

Based on recent trends, several factors are likely to influence live streaming success in 2025. Established franchises will continue to attract attention, as seen with Diablo IV and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Spin-offs, such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A, may also perform well, leveraging the familiarity of their parent franchises while offering something new.

Popular genres like action role-playing games, horror titles, shooters, and co-op experiences are expected to maintain their appeal. Upcoming releases such as The Blood of Dawnwalker, an RPG with horror elements, are already generating anticipation. Indie games, which have consistently found success by offering unique challenges or collaborative gameplay, are also likely to remain relevant. However, developers must carefully position these games to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

While familiar genres and franchises are likely to dominate, there is a risk of oversaturation leading to viewer fatigue. Smaller developers will need to focus on creating innovative and streamer-friendly experiences to compete. Influential streamers will also play a significant role in shaping viewer interest, as their preferences often dictate which games gain momentum.

Big IP and RPG Launches

Relevance to Web3 Gaming

The insights drawn from live streaming trends are particularly relevant to web3 gaming, where the integration of blockchain technology, decentralized ecosystems, and player ownership creates unique opportunities for audience engagement. In the web3 space, games that resonate with live streaming audiences can amplify their visibility and foster active player communities. Genres like action RPGs, horror, and co-op games, which already thrive on live streaming platforms, align well with web3 gaming's emphasis on interactive and collaborative experiences.

Additionally, the ability to trade, own, and monetize in-game assets in web3 games adds an extra layer of appeal for streamers and viewers, who are often early adopters of innovative gaming technologies. As web3 gaming continues to grow, understanding and leveraging these streaming trends will be crucial for developers aiming to capture the attention of this tech-savvy audience.

Source: StreamHatchet