RP371 Come Watch Me Play

 RP371 Come Watch Me Play

Wouldn't it be great to just play video games for a living? For many young people, that's the dream. A few years ago, many would have laughed at such a ridiculous fantasy, but the world has changed. Nowadays, playing video games for a living is not only possible, but also has the potential to make you a very comfortable living, too. It's all thanks to video game live streaming.
Video game live streaming is simply the act of broadcasting footage of yourself playing a video game live over the Internet. And though you might struggle to believe it, viewers actually come in their millions to watch these streamers at play.
What is it, then, that draws so many viewers to watch people playing video games? As with any form of reality entertainment, it comes down to our very human love of people-watching. Viewers are drawn by the streamers' personalities, in-game commentary, and humor, as well as their gaming skills.
The streamers themselves make their money through sharing in advertising revenue from the streaming sites, sponsorships from gaming organizations, and even donations from their fans. According to the US-based website Twitch, one of the world's top live-streaming websites, the most successful live-streamers make more than six figures a year.
Of course, only very few of the top streamers make that much money, and before you decide to start your own streaming channel, there are risks to consider.
Amateur streamers often spend long hours online with few breaks, as any time they spend away from their channel marks an opportunity for them to lose viewers. As a result, the lifestyle of the average aspiring streamer is not the healthiest.
Streamers are also at risk of online stalking. Some viewers become so obsessed with their favorite streamer that they attempt to find and befriend them, which, though flattering, is not always a welcome prospect.
Despite the risks, streaming remains a popular pastime for many gamers. Even if they have few followers, the joy of being able to share their passion with the world is enough and that is something all of us, games or not, can surely relate to.