Twitch’s 2020 Changes and the Rise of New Popular Games
Twitch, the popular streaming platform, went through some interesting changes in 2020. While competitive shooters like Fortnite dominated the most popular games in 2019, this year saw a shift in genres thanks to the impact of COVID-19.
The top 10 games on Twitch in 2020 varied depending on the criteria used. When considering the most-streamed titles for the entire year, games like Fortnite and League of Legends maintained their popularity. However, if you analyzed the most-watched games or looked at the latter half of the year, Among Us consistently appeared in the top 10.
Let’s start by looking at the overall metrics for the year and then dive into the numbers for Among Us.
Most-watched games of 2020
SullyGnome, a platform that tracks Twitch metrics, provides a comprehensive analysis of categories, channels, game trends, and more. When examining the most-watched and trending games over the year, we excluded the Just Chatting category since it is not a game, even though it remains the most popular category in terms of streams and views.
According to SullyGnome, the most-watched games of 2020 were:
1. League of Legends
2. Fortnite
3. Grand Theft Auto V
4. VALORANT
5. Call of Duty: Warzone
6. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
7. Minecraft
8. Dota 2
9. World of Warcraft
10. Among Us
It’s worth noting that Among Us managed to secure a spot in the top 10, despite its popularity skyrocketing only in the latter half of 2020. Following the success of Among Us, other similar games also saw increased viewership. The specific games in the top 10 varied slightly when looking at the latter half of the year, with Fall Guys and Phasmophobia narrowly missing out.
Trending games in 2020
Examining the Twitch trends from 2020 tells a different story. Many games saw a boost in popularity, either due to sustained interest from previous years or the shifting focus from competitive multiplayer titles to games that could be played with friends.
The top 10 trends from 2020 were:
1. Valorant
2. Call of Duty: Warzone
3. League of Legends
4. Among Us
5. Minecraft
6. Escape from Tarkov
7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
8. Grand Theft Auto V
9. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
10. FIFA 21
Looking at the latter half of the year, we saw the emergence of non-competitive games like Phasmophobia and World of Warcraft, driven in part by the surge in popularity of Among Us.
Among Us: A Streaming Phenomenon
Among Us had a significant impact on streaming culture in 2020. Although it didn’t make it to the top 10 most-streamed games, it secured a solid fourth place when considering the trending games for the year.
The origins of Among Us’ popularity can be attributed to various streamers and influencers. In late 2019 and early 2020, smaller streamers like Admiralbulldog and YouTubers such as Kaif started playing the game. While Kaif’s video gained attention, it was Sodapoppin’s audience and influence that drove the game’s surge in popularity in July.
There’s another interesting factor that contributed to Among Us’ rise. The final installment of The Henry Stickmin Collection, Completing the Mission, was released in August. With both games developed by InnerSloth, players became curious about Among Us due to Easter eggs hidden in Completing the Mission.
Overall, Among Us was the perfect game for 2020. As people were forced to isolate and limit physical interactions due to COVID-19, Among Us provided an inexpensive multiplayer experience that allowed friends to play together in a casual way. Unlike other popular multiplayer games that are highly competitive, like Fortnite and Warzone, Among Us created a friendly, board game-like environment that focused on social interaction rather than intense competition.
Fall Guys: A Silly and Cheerful Competition
The popularity of Among Us paved the way for similar games to gain attention. Fall Guys, released during Among Us’ surge in popularity, offered a more competitive, yet equally cheerful and silly, gaming experience. Although Fall Guys didn’t reach the same numbers as Among Us, it still enjoyed a good bump in popularity and remained just outside the top 10 for streaming. It’s important to note that besides Steam, Fall Guys is available on other platforms and has a strong player base beyond PC gaming.
The Rise of Phasmophobia
In October, another game called Phasmophobia emerged as a trend, partly due to the Halloween season. Phasmophobia is a four-player co-op game where players work together to hunt ghosts and gather evidence. Unlike competitive games, Phasmophobia offers a cooperative and non-competitive environment. While its numbers are smaller compared to other games, it quickly gained popularity on Twitch in the last three months of 2020. By considering a shorter time frame, Phasmophobia secures a place in the top 10 for the year.
In conclusion, Twitch experienced significant changes in 2020. Among Us, Fall Guys, and Phasmophobia were three notable games that gained popularity, offering unique gaming experiences that captivated audiences. These games, along with others on the top 10 lists of most-watched and trending games, demonstrate the evolving landscape of esports and the diverse preferences of viewers on the platform.