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We often seek entertainment when we are bored, whether it be going through social media, online streaming platforms, or games. I’m sure many of us have listened to our parents or seen other parents lecture us not to play too many games and focus on our studies since games aren’t going to feed us or get us a job. This might be true a few years ago, but how true is it now? 

With the rise of esports, online streaming, and even gaming coaching, we have entered a new generation where investing time into games has become a genuine option for some to make a living. Yet, does it sound as good as it seems? Is it easy enough that everyone would start giving up on their academics to pursue a life of gaming?

Looking at the options, online streaming is the most accessible option for everyone to venture into. Take a camera, a microphone, and a device on which you can play games, and you are ready. With the launch of websites like Twitch and YouTube Gaming, millions took the opportunity to start streaming the games they love in hopes of garnering attention and income. The appearance of online streaming paved the way for a whole new ecosystem of games, as everyone has their own tastes in games and streamers. It is not an understatement to say that every game is a market in itself since it has its own target audience. The possibilities are near limitless, with every game being an opportunity to make a living.

In the beginning, those who were better at games were usually the ones that got the most attention. Joining streams of big names like Shroud, Tfue, and Ninja gave everyone an opportunity to see what high-level gameplay and mechanic execution looks like. However, as the industry started to increase in popularity, there would naturally be more challenges for late-coming streamers.

Since everyone only has a certain amount of hours to watch a particular streamer, there was a significant surplus in the streamers-to-viewers ratio, which drove up the competition. As a result, the barrier of entry to streaming increased as streamers started increasing their specs to get an upper hand. In the end, it came down to who has a better camera, a more advanced microphone, and more desktops to view streamers’ chats alongside other factors.

With given time, new players with high gaming abilities would spring up, creating an oversaturation of high levels of gameplay. To some, this was a misfortune as the competition to be the best streamer became higher, but to others, it was a blessing. Some streamers took the opportunity to make their personality the highlight as opposed to using high levels of gameplay as their main attraction. Successful streamers like Shroud and Dr DisRespect continued to flourish amongst these changes as they had unique streaming personalities accompanying their high levels of gameplay. 

In this day and age, trends for games fluctuate greatly, and, alongside the streaming landscape, streamers have to be aware of the games that are topping the charts at any given time. In order to capitalise on a game that has a high attraction, streamers have to invest money to purchase the game and time to prepare the content they will be streaming beforehand.

When looking at streaming content, another perspective to consider is whether the game has an end goal. In games such as League of Legends and Valorant, players compete in a ranked ladder, but there is no particular storyline or ‘ending’ that they are working towards. In comparison, The Forest and Ark Survival Evolved give players a goal to work towards which, when achieved, marks the “end of the game”. 

Streaming a game that has an end goal indicates that once the game is finished, players have to move to another game or find a way to produce new content with the finished game. Comparatively, in rank ladder-climbing games, streamers can play the game indefinitely. As such, streamers need to understand how much content different games provide and prepare thoroughly once one game is exhausted and they have to move on. 

While rank ladder-climbing streamers do not have to worry about sourcing new games, they have a different challenge: repetitive content. Most rank-ladder climbing games lack diversification, as usually, only three to four game modes are made available. Viewers might eventually find repetitive gameplay boring hence catalysing the competition for providing higher-level gameplay and having an entertaining streaming personality. 

It goes without saying that something to be cautious about is physical and mental health when one decides to stream. Streaming requires one to play games for long hours while entertaining an audience, addressing their messages, all while being aware of self-presentation. Streaming for long hours places large amounts of stress on the eyes and could push the body since streams could be tired but have to continue to garner more attraction. 

Streaming also strains the mind. Firstly, games can place a lot of stress on one’s mind, especially when met with losing streaks, being stuck in a certain round, or needing to deal with rude in-game players. Furthermore, one might also face rude comments from the viewers, which is often an uncontrollable element. Secondly, streamers often try to maintain a certain level of energy to be charismatic to appeal to their audience. While some streamers appear naturally so, it could be tiring for others who need to push themselves to maintain that streamer personality. Lastly, streamers who have gathered a certain level of viewers need to be cautious with what they say since it could be clipped and taken out of context, leading to controversy and jeopardising their streaming career. With so many elements to take care of, it is no wonder that streaming expends a large amount of energy from the body and mind. 

Today, the streaming industry continues to grow as newer generations seek out career opportunities through streaming platforms. While it is applaudable that our society is breaking traditional boundaries and showing that one can indeed make a career out of gaming, it is important to understand how much streaming has grown over recent years to be able to adapt and thrive in the highly competitive environment, as well as harsh realities that come with being a streamer. Ask yourself: is this truly a game you want to play?