Twitch Games with the Highest Peak Viewership: Ranked [2024]
Numerous platforms have vied for the throne of streaming dominance, yet none have eclipsed the colossal Amazon-owned empire that is Twitch. Over the years, a multitude of games has amassed staggering viewership figures on this platform, reaching into the billions of hours watched. This impressive feat owes itself to the dedicated cadre of streamers, ranging from established names to up-and-coming talents, consistently broadcasting these titles to audiences worldwide.
| Rank | Game | Genre | Developer | Publisher | Platform | Release date | Hours watched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Live streaming / Interactive broadcasting | Twitch | Twitch | Twitch | 2018 | 59.0 Million |
| 2 |  | Action-adventure | Rockstar North | Rockstar Games | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | September 2013 | 41.7 Million |
| 3 |  | MOBA | Riot Games | Riot Games | Microsoft Windows, macOS | October 27, 2009 | 18.3 Million |
| 4 |  | Survival, battle royale, sandbox | Epic Games | Epic Games | macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Android, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 | July 25, 2017 | 18.1 Million |
| 5 |  | Hero shooter, Tactical shooter | Riot Games | Riot Games | Windows | June 2, 2020 | 9.82 Million |
| 6 |  | Sandbox, survival | Mojang Studios | Mojang Studios | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Xbox 360, Raspberry Pi, Windows Phone, PlayStation 3, Fire OS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Apple TV, tvOS, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS | November 18, 2011 | 9.40 Million |
| 7 |  | Battle royale, first-person shooter | Raven Software, Infinity Ward | Activision | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One | March 10, 2020 | 9.01 Million |
| 8 |  | MOBA | Valve | Valve | Windows, Linux, OS X | July 9, 2013 | 6.99 Million |
| 9 |  | Massively multiplayer online role-playing | Blizzard Entertainment | Blizzard Entertainment | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X | November 23, 2004 | 6.80 Million |
| 10 |  | Tactical first-person shooter | Valve | Valve | Windows, Linux | September 27, 2023 | 5.94 Million |
However, amidst this streaming panorama, which games reign supreme among top Twitch games? Delving into the archives dating back to 2016, we meticulously tallied the ranked list of the most-viewed games on Twitch with the help of a renowned bastion of Twitch analytics – Twitchtracker.
The Top 10 Most-Watched Games on Twitch of All Time
1. Just Chatting
Publisher: Amazon
Total Hours: 59.0 Million
Stream Hours: 763,776
Just Chatting isn’t your typical video game; rather, it’s a category on Twitch that has gained immense popularity. It provides a platform for streamers to interact directly with their audience without focusing on a specific game. Instead, creators engage in casual conversations, share stories, react to videos, conduct Q&A sessions, or even showcase various talents like art, music, or cooking. As Twitch continues to evolve, Just Chatting remains not only the most-viewed games, but a fundamental category, reflecting the platform’s emphasis on community and content diversity.
2. GTA V
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Total Hours: 41.7 Million
Stream Hours: 529,964
Since 2019, GTA V, or more precisely, GTA Online, has been a powerhouse in generating massive viewership on Twitch. Rockstar has continuously introduced fresh narratives and business-oriented content to its online service. However, a significant factor contributing to the game’s triumph on Twitch is the emergence of RP (roleplay) servers, which showcase some of the most prominent creators on the platform. GTA V holds the distinction the most extensive viewership in a single year, amassing a staggering 41.7 Million hours viewed in 2023.
3. League of Legends
Publisher: Epic Games
Total Hours:18.3 Million
Stream Hours: 454,085
League of Legends continues to hold an unassailable position on Twitch, making it highly improbable for any game to surpass its dominance. Between 2016 and 2019, League consistently averaged 1 billion hours watched annually. This number ascended to 18.3 Million in 2023. Since 2016, there have only been two instances where League was not the most viewed game on Twitch: Fortnite claimed the title in 2018, and GTA V briefly took the lead in 2021. League of Legends unquestionably maintains its reign as the one of the kings of Twitch.
4. Fortnite
Publisher: Epic Games
Total Hours:18.1 Million
Stream Hours: 1,887,091
In 2018, Fortnite soared to the upper echelons of all-time viewership charts and has held its position firmly since. The remarkable “Fortnite Boom” of 2018 drew in a vast array of Twitch stars and even birthed a few new ones. Despite a slight dip in numbers over the past couple of years, Fortnite remains a consistent top game in terms of viewership. Furthermore, it seems to be on the verge of a potential comeback with the introduction of the Zero Build mode.
5. VALORANT
Publisher: Riot Games
Total Hours: 9.82 Million
Stream Hours: 567,646
Among the top 10 most-watched games on Twitch, VALORANT stands out as it only debuted on Twitch in 2020, making its overall numbers even more remarkable. This tactical shooter from Riot heavily leaned on its “watch-to-gain-access” beta strategy, which significantly contributed to its success. It has since cultivated a flourishing and continually expanding esports scene. Notably, it’s the sole game on this list that accumulated more hours watched in 2023 than it did throughout the entirety of 2021.
6. Minecraft
Publisher: Mojang Studios
Total Hours: 9.40 Million
Stream Hours: 317,915
Between 2016 and 2019, Minecraft didn’t reach the same enormous success on Twitch as it did on YouTube, with less than 1 million hours watched annually during that period. However, in 2020, Minecraft witnessed a staggering surge on Twitch, accumulating 5.1 million hours watched, and for 2023. This was followed by an even more impressive 9.40 millions hours in 2023. These substantial spikes were primarily fueled by a period during these two years when prominent streamers hosted servers that attracted other major streaming personalities.
7. Call of Duty: Warzone
Publisher: Activision Publishing
Total Hours: 9.01 Million
Stream Hours: 583,670
Despite being a widely popular franchise, the Call of Duty series didn’t stand out much from 2016 to 2019, similar to Minecraft. However, in 2020, Call of Duty saw a substantial surge in viewership, largely attributed to the rapid ascent of the standalone game, Warzone. The upcoming releases of Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 might further elevate the series. As of 2023, CoD holds viewer attention and retains the title of one of the top Twitch games.
8. Dota 2
Publisher: Valve
Total Hours: 6.99 Million
Stream Hours: 177,427
Dota 2 has remained incredibly consistent on the Twitch platform, maintaining an average of slightly more than 6.99 million hours watched since 2016. It has consistently hovered around this figure without deviating significantly in any given year. The annual Dota 2 International tournament remains one of the most extensively viewed esports events each year, boasting the largest prize pool in the industry.
9. World of Warcraft
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Total Hours: 6.80 Million
Stream Hours: 211,192
Blizzard’s colossal MMORPG and one of the most-watched Twitch games has made a powerful comeback on Twitch in recent years. This resurgence can be credited to various factors such as the introduction of WoW Classic, the rollout of multiple highly praised expansions, and the increased fame of Race to World First events organized by some of the game’s most renowned guilds.
10. Counter-Strike 2 & GO
Publisher: Valve
Total Hours: 5.94 Million
Stream Hours: 176,565
Between 2016 and 2022, CS:GO stayed neck and neck with Dota 2, both being Valve games. However, in 2023, with the arrival of CS2, the game saw a remarkable surge in growth, surpassing 5.94 million hours watched. This was a considerable increase compared to its average of under 3 million hours watched in the previous four years. Despite the massive shift of the game’s esports scene to an online format, viewership remained strong, and CS2 has maintained this level of popularity ever since.
Top Twitch Games and Beyond – A Journey through Viewership and Community
The exploration of the top Twitch games based on viewership provides a compelling insight into the ever-changing dynamics of online entertainment. From the enduring reign of stalwarts like League of Legends and Dota 2 to the resurgence of classics like World of Warcraft and the unexpected rise of newer titles such as VALORANT, each game’s journey on Twitch tells a unique story.
The dominance of certain games, the emergence of innovative strategies for engagement, and the influence of community-driven content creation all contribute to the platform’s vibrant ecosystem. Beyond the realm of gaming, categories like Just Chatting showcase the power of personal connections and the allure of diverse content. Streamers engaging in genuine conversations, sharing experiences, and fostering communities reflect the evolving nature of content consumption on Twitch. The future promises further evolution and innovation, propelled by the passion and creativity of both content creators and their dedicated audiences, continually shaping the captivating world of the most-viewed games on Twitch.
FAQ
The top Twitch games are determined based on viewership statistics gathered from platforms like Twitchtracker, which tracks the number of hours watched for various games on Twitch. These statistics offer insights into the most-watched games over specific timeframes, helping to identify the titles that have garnered the highest viewership.
Fluctuations in viewership can stem from various factors. Game updates, new content releases, esports events, the influence of popular streamers, and changing trends within the gaming community can all impact a game’s viewership.
Categories like Just Chatting offer a space for streamers to interact with their audience beyond gaming. These categories allow creators to engage in conversations, share experiences, showcase talents, conduct Q&A sessions, or simply hang out with their viewers. They play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community, providing diverse content, and allowing streamers to build personal connections with their audience beyond gaming content
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