Yo, guys, let’s talk video games.
In case you haven’t heard, video games are no longer a solo experience. I’m not talking about the multiplayer Mario Kart or Call of Duty we played on our DS Lites in 3rd grade, either. The video game industry has moved far, far forward in terms of interconnectivity and competition, all culminating into what we now call eSports. In case you’re still confused, eSports essentially means electronic sports. eSports basically have the same premise as other pro sports, except instead of soccer or football or hockey, it’s video games.
But who wants to watch other people play games, Hayley?
A surprising amount, actually.
eSports as an industry and video game streaming in general has grown massively. And who’s surprised? Social media has changed the way we communicate in ways no one could have imagined; we consume almost all of our content online, from the news we get to the shows we watch to the jobs we do. What’s logging on in the U.S. and connecting with someone in South Korea to play a video game amidst all of the other ungodly advances we’ve made?
With all that in mind, it also comes to no surprise that this burgeoning industry has created a few social media platforms of its own. The one I want to talk about the most, however, is Twitch.
Launched in 2011, Twitch.tv is a live streaming platform owned by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of Amazon. As of the August 1st, 2018, Twitch has 140 million monthly unique viewers. While mainly used for video game livestreams, Twitch also hosts eSports competitions, music broadcasts, creative content, and “irl” streams. Users can follow specific games, specific channels, or just check out TwitchPresents, a channel that hosts marathons of all kinds (there’s a Pokémon marathon going on as I write this).
Twitch and eSports, a match made in heaven.
Even with the immense support, eSports and professional video gaming in general faces a lot of doubt. A lot of people out there still believe sports should involve physical activity. What does everybody think? Are video games worth watching? Are eSports an actual sport? Or something new?
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Sources
https://expandedramblings.com/index.php/twitch-stats/
https://esportsobserver.com/breakdown-streaming-platforms/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/37773832
https://blog.walls.io/showcases/esports-and-social-media-walls/
the treachery of text [this is not a blog] 
Hayley,
Hi. Did you know that Pitt-Bradford has started an eSports Club? I was a little confused about how this could be considered a sport, but I’m trying to be opened minded. What are others saying on social about the rise of eSports?
Pat
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Hayley,
Being a big video game player, I know a huge amount when it comes to twitch and streaming services. Twitch is huge not only for individuals who are trying to start a gaming career but also events such as E3. People love watching high skilled players perform in games, even sometimes celebrities are brought into the mix. Twitch has grown a lot since it’s launch, even YouTube now supporting broadcasts.
Brandon.
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