The Spectacular Debut of VALORANT on Twitch: A Record-Breaking First Month
VALORANT has achieved an unprecedented level of viewership on Twitch during its first month, surpassing all previous records by a wide margin. This accomplishment can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the game’s hype, Twitch drops, and the global COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in more people staying at home. Despite being available for streaming only in the latter part of April, VALORANT accumulated a staggering 344 million hours watched on Twitch.
Initial Successes and Lingering Questions
The initial numbers were astounding, shattering viewership records for any game on the platform. Some notable streamers like Summit1g and TimTheTatman, who had exclusive access to Twitch drops during the closed beta, benefitted from this surge in popularity. However, as the month progressed, there was a noticeable decline in viewership, raising concerns about the game’s long-term sustainability.
The Issue of 24/7 Streamers and Viewership Manipulation
Another factor that has muddled the evaluation of VALORANT’s viewership is the presence of 24/7 streamers who artificially inflate their airtime to attract viewers seeking beta access drops. Channels like Anomaly and Onscreen have streamed the game for unreasonably long durations, with more than 550 hours of airtime. This practice has been frowned upon by established Twitch veterans, including Summit1g, TimTheTatman, and Dr Disrespect.
Twitch’s Response and the Uncertain Future
Twitch finally responded to this issue on April 28 by declaring VOD streaming as a violation of its guidelines, effectively forcing streamers like Anomaly to stop. While Anomaly has continued to stream with the help of friends, the sustainability of such practices remains questionable. Moreover, renowned Twitch streamers like TimTheTatman and Summit1g have also started drifting away from the game. This suggests that VALORANT’s success on Twitch may be limited.
Despite the decline in viewership, VALORANT still reigns supreme as the most-watched content on Twitch, with 63 million hours watched in the past week alone. However, the true test for the game’s popularity will emerge once access to it is no longer a driving factor for viewers, and streamers cease exploiting the system through extended streams.
For Riot, the developer of VALORANT, the game’s debut month on Twitch has undeniably generated a significant amount of hype. However, its long-term future remains uncertain until viewership levels normalize.
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