So I’m curious. Overwatch is at a relatively low stream viewer count on Twitch.
I’m not here to argue metrics or data or even come to a conclusion to what everything might mean. But I am curious as to:
If you watch Overwatch on a live stream, what draws you to your favorite streamer/streamers?
And
What would incentivize you to watch more Overwatch streams?
While I recognize that popularity of certain trend video games do have a certain aspect that draws people to watch, again I’m curious about Overwatch in particular.
I would probably watch more streams if there were more entertaining streamers. If Seagull is a top tier talent in this community, you are sort of just better off watching OWL if you want to watch Overwatch on Twitch. I am really picky though. I have only ever enjoyed a handful of streamers and honestly, only one is even coming to mind. So it is probably just me.
Also, yes, less people watching the game, longer queue times, less people visiting the forums and all of that does mean the game is dying. Figured I would throw that out there just because of your disclaimer. I am not afraid of the people who swarm anyone who sees it as it is.
I only watch any OW streamers If there Is a drops event running, and even then, I only watch people who are chill, don’t tilt, and just enjoy playing the game; regardless of skill level.
While I don’t really spend that much time watching anyone, Harbleu’s the only one I continue to enjoy. He’s always lively and positive, and he plays some characters that most people don’t at that level.
I used to watch Sinatraa just for the impressive gameplay, back before Brigitte ended that concept. I didn’t watch too often, though, because his attitude was always terrible.
For me to watch more, it would probably just have to be a different game, really. Usually if I’m going to watch a game instead of playing it, my intention is to see someone else do things that I wouldn’t be able to do myself. Overwatch, like most team games, is kind of a joke for solo competitive play, and now that Brigitte exists, you’re pretty rarely going to see anything actually impressive, other than maybe the amount of team coordination in tournaments.
I dont like streams of overwatch because they are boring, if i watch ovewrwatch i watch if for funny people plaing it, on streams there is most not funny actions.
I like educational streams but in the end they get boring, I watch a lot of xQc cause fun.
Kabaji changed from straight up education and copying Dafran/xQc but yeah still prefer Dafran.
Emongg was fun for a while but he’s way too catering for the younger players that it just gets boring and his numbers have went down tbh.
I like Barcode cause she’s a girl streamer that doesn’t main Mercy… so that’s new.
Searweyn she’s not popular but a Mercy OTP that gets boosted by smurfs and it’s funny watching her go toxic on people then play the victim card and cry on stream when people talk back at her.
ml7 cause he’s god Ana.
A ridiculously good Widow. No shade to other heroes on the roster, but I think someone who’s insanely good at hitscan is fun to watch all the crazy shots he executes. This is coming from a Reaper main afterall
Entertaining but not fake. Doesn’t have to spazz out to be funny.
Very interactive to his viewers and chat.
I don’t watch streamers as often as I’d like to, mainly because I’m too poor to have a dual monitor set-up (hopefully that changes). However, I think Overwatch would be more stream friendly if they did some major Comp Overhaul changes. I won’t go into detail because not trying to derail the post.
Also, I think the lack of community hosted tournaments is a big thing. And I’m not talking like huge tournaments, just little monthly ones that have a smaller prize pool than that of an official one, but it’s a way to draw people to the game. I feel like I would take more community events over esports even though I found OWL to be entertaining (but I have no idea how OWL would look to someone who’s never played OW before).
Overwatch wise I’m mostly looking for educational sort of content. Stuff that breaks down the game or is giving info on the game as I find that stuff interesting. So mostly stuff like Jayne’s VOD reviews, coaching teams in skrims etc. The guy is off line a lot more now due to the move to LA to be an assistant OWL coach but he said he will be back later.
player wise anyone who isn’t ranting and playing at a decent level can be interesting to watch but I jump around a lot if it’s just players. I tend to pick players by the roles they play as I find that more interesting to watch than a pure personality.
I also don’t mind a few games of low SR players as it’s interesting to see the games down in lower ranges too and then see if you can apply what one picked up for the educational streams. As in almost every case the lower SR player are directly making errors that line up with their SR.
but that said I still am viewing Overwatch or streaming in general like one would youtube videos. I’m not watching hours at a time as much as I drop in and see what is going on for a bit and then I’m out of there.
tl;dr - I enjoy overwatch informational content on streams and over all team play (OWL/skrims/VOD reviews/small tournments like Jayne’s peasant cup or widow only fight) and not so much just one person playing.
I dont really watch too many OW streams…
I watch XQC, Geguri and barcode on occasion but thats pretty much it. If I fancy a browse to see whos streaming I usually give up and go to a new game because no one interests me.
I used to watch Jardio on OW like every day but he quit Ow now (I still watch him though haha)
They have to have a likeable personality and/or be good at the hero I main. People I enjoy watching Fitzyhere (I find him hilarious), Kephrii especially when he plays off meta like Mei/Sym, Ml7 for sick Ana plays and Animetic for some sick Mercy play. For 2. I would say I would watch more if my work schedule was more conducive to their stream times.
I prefer watching the smaller streamers who are more interactive with their viewers and don’t also potentially have some influence over the game’s development. Also if they don’t tilt regularly, like at least one popular streamer I’m aware of, and as long as they’ve never deliberately played in a rank they don’t belong in.
I watch dafran highlights on YouTube at work sometimes but in general if I’m watching someone play that means i could be playing myself and i prefer that by far
it is more entartaining to simply play the game instead of watching someone else … i watch OWL to catch some high level ideas to improve my gameplay, but OWL is really late
I think a lot of it has to do with the people streaming it, for me at least.
The only one I ever watch is EmonGG, and thats because hes a pretty down to earth guy, while the only other ones I know consist of Dafran, xQc, and other toxic manchildren that give the community a bad name.
I’m much more interested in the Overwatch League streams, my viewing habits are the same for other competitive games, such as League of Legend and Starcraft.
I find myself watching streams more than regular tv.
I enjoy interactive streamers who give tips on why they do things.
Emongg, Fran, Muma
I’m an off tank main so I also really enjoy Poko and Geguri even with the limited English.
