A Growing Phenomenon: Co-Streams and VALORANT Esports
The VALORANT category on Twitch is quickly becoming a powerhouse of knowledge, interaction, and viewership. In fact, it was the fifth most-viewed game on the platform in 2020, with over 814 million hours watched, according to Twitch tracking site SullyGnome. As the esports scene for VALORANT continues to grow, a familiar concept called co-streams is giving its competitive viewership a significant boost.
What are Co-Streams and How Do They Boost Viewership?
Co-streams involve notable streamers hosting watch-alongs of VALORANT esports events. Popular streamers like Liquid’s Average Jonas and TSM’s Myth have been bringing their own twist and flavor to these co-streams, attracting more viewers and increasing the visibility of VALORANT esports. This practice, which Riot Games started with League of Legends in 2018, has been instrumental in enhancing the viewership numbers for the LCS and LEC.
Recently, legendary competitive FPS player Shroud joined the VALORANT Champions Tour’s co-streaming lineup. Each of Shroud’s co-streams reached over one million total viewers, surpassing the official broadcasts and even quadrupling the viewership of Nerd Street Gamers. Shroud’s presence has not only added to the overall viewership numbers, but it has also brought a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the VALORANT esports scene.
The Shroud Effect: Expertise and Knowledge for VALORANT
Shroud’s competitive history in games like CS:GO has made him a valuable asset for VALORANT’s analysis and insights. He shares his knowledge about strategies, playstyles, and even explains map picks like Icebox in a simple yet effective manner. Furthermore, Shroud’s excitement and support for sick plays and former teammates who have transitioned from CS:GO to VALORANT has contributed to the game’s success.
The Future of Shroud in VALORANT Esports
Shroud’s co-streams have given a significant boost to the VALORANT Champions Tour. Moreover, it presents exciting opportunities for the future. Assuming Riot brings VALORANT esports production in-house, having Shroud as part of the analyst desk would be a perfect fit. With his immense viewership drawing power and unparalleled competitive intelligence, Shroud can help elevate VALORANT esports to new heights.
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