𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳 𝗲𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀

The emergence of new technologies and competitors within the marketplace has given rise to a variety of new platforms for streaming media content targeting a wide array of traditional broadcast audiences online. Streaming allows for a new type of social TV that provides an interactive platform for audiences to engage, on a personal level, with their favourite gamer personalities. With the increase in professional gamers and their fandom, streaming platforms like Twitch TV have created a new interactive Internet exclusive marketplace that does not require traditional broadcasting methods.

The emergence of an online technology known as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has spurred the growth of a new user-generated and content-driven Web community. This new technology is the backbone that competitive online gaming (eSports) is relying on to reach users. Twitch TV is currently the platform that dominates the marketplace, attracting over 34 million unique viewers a month. Twitch’s easy to use platform provides fast and easy access for viewers and streamers alike, attracting hundreds of thousands of unique viewers daily on computers or smart devices. With the rise of a new web community, online platforms like Twitch TV are receiving growing attention and viewership among active participants within the gaming and eSports community.

Enthusiastic audiences tune into tournaments, tutorials, competitive game play, and social online chat rooms with their favourite gamer personalities playing their favorite titles.

eSports

Electronic sports, more commonly known as eSports, is the term used to describe playing high-level games and spectating of digital games in a competitive atmosphere.

eSports consists of many game genres, including real time strategy (RTS), first person shooters, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and arcade style fighting games.

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The eSports community is made up of professional and amateur gamers, teams, commentators, sponsors, spectators and fans. Similar to traditional sport players, professional gamers are especially skilled and participate in intense training regiments. Pro-gamers generate their income through tournament winnings, sponsorships, coaching fees and revenues earned from advertisements on their live streams. Online live video streaming, also recognized as social TV, allows gamers to attract tens of thousands of unique viewers daily.

eSports and Streaming

Streaming gameplay is a relatively new phenomenon that has exploded in recent years, attracting hundreds of thousands of unique viewers daily. Twitch TV, a live video streaming platform, has been at the forefront of this success with 34 million unique users a month . Streaming can consist of major tournaments and events, but generally is made up of a single player or team that broadcasts its games and chats, explaining its game style and strategies and giving advice to viewers. This two-way communication fosters a unique relationship between the streamer and its spectators. This relationship is nurturing the growth of a new Web community: eSports fans watch live streams of Internet personalities who play their favorite video games. As live stream video games get popular, watching them become an entertainment genre on its own.

Twitch TV

Twitch TV is currently the leading video streaming platform that dominates the gaming market, attracting over 34 million unique viewers a month. Twitch TV’s goal is to “connect gamers around the world by allowing them to broadcast, watch, and chat from everywhere they play”. Twitch TV provides gamers the opportunity to make money from their passion, while engaging them with an active, dedicated and interactive fan base interested in watching speed runs, classic games, and competitive games over the Web.

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Much of Twitch TV’s success is contributed to its easy to use platform. Without the need for any additional software or hardware, Twitch has successfully removed every barrier that may have previously prevented the community from streaming its gameplay. As Twitch gains momentum, certain video game titles are starting to include access to live online streaming within their game software. The most notable of these games is Call of Duty Black Ops II, an extension of the successful Call of Duty series.

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YouTube

YouTube largely dominates live streaming space in India - irrespective of the global expansion of Twitch and Mixer.If you do a comparison in foreign, Twitch is a more popular platform for live streamers and gamers.

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One of the key reasons behind YouTube's success in India is the existence of a broad local content portfolio. But specifically for gamers, YouTube claims that the country is its third-largest gaming market.YouTube showed its interest in gaming as a category by unveiling its standalone YouTube Gaming app back in August 2015. The app also reached India in April 2016. But in May this year, the video streaming website finally decided to retire the specific app and merge the experience with the standard YouTube platform. It has also built a dedicated gaming section that's available on the YouTube site as well as its mobile apps.

As per the data provided by YouTube, PUBG Mobile videos on the platform are over 15 times more frequently uploaded in India compared to the rest of the world. Sandbox games such as PUBG Mobile, GTA V, and Minecraft are also amongst the most-viewed genres in India alongside battle royale and action-adventure.

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The Spectator

The most valuable asset of live online video streaming and Twitch TV is the spectator. The spectator is defined as the person who follows the in-game experience, but is not a direct participant in the game.The primary difference between traditional sports and eSports spectating is that the vast majority of eSports events take place exclusively online. In addition, the community surrounding eSports is familiar with the Internet and various social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Twitch TV and other web platforms similar to YouTube.

Within this community are a variety of different spectating personas. Of these personas, four directly impact the eSports community at large.

Firstly, the ones who are inspired. They are eager to play the game they spectate. Their eagerness stems from their desire to attempt new strategies or tactics learned while watching professional players. For inspired players, spectatorship serves as a catalyst that inspires them to directly play a video game.
Secondly, there is the pupil. They spectate to learn and gain a level of understanding of the game.
Thirdly, there is the entertained. They tune into live streams for entertainment purposes only, much like those who tune into their favorite television show. Contributing factors to their entertainment include the spectacle, fandom, competition and excitement.
Lastly, there is the crowd. They spectate because of the strong communal ties associated with spectating. As in traditional sports, this form of spectators participate in the spectacle as a group and enjoy plea-sure and excitement that games bring to the viewer.

Each type of spectator has one thing in common; they watch eSports for the entertainment value it provides. Entertainment is at the heart of every spectator sport.

Conclusion

eSports and the live online broadcasting that follow with it are an emerging Internet community and marketplace with a vast and dedicated following. The implementation of IPTV in the eSports industry has directly influenced the growth of its online viewership. Providing an easy to use platform without the need for any additional software or hardware resulted in a substantial increase in eSports broadcasting and viewership online. IPTV has provided an additional medium for income for professional gamers outside of sponsorships and tournaments. This has allowed for individuals to pursue a career in playing videogames, an option that did not exist five years ago.

The implantation of IPTV has also influenced how gamers interact with their community. Social engagement is at the heart of IPTV and live streams, breaking down traditional boundaries associated with passive entertainment consumption. The combination of active chat functions, an enthusiastic user base, and a community based user-generated content, coupled with the fact that this audience is only reachable through the Internet and IPTV platforms, provides for a unique social community that gamers actively seek out and consume. Live streaming eSports competitions and gameplay have grown to become a dominant media channel many males aged 18-34 would access. The interactive and social aspects of IPTV provide an unpar-alleled platform for the eSports community, which traditional broadcasting lacks.

Lastly, the various factors that contribute to eSports and live stream viewership. Foremost is the entertainment value that eSports provides for users. This entertainment is based on information asymmetry, which creates a suspenseful and enjoyable spectacle for spectators. Live stream video games have grown to become an entertainment genre on their own, similar to traditional sports. Among many reasons that viewers tune into live streams are their adopting a vicarious attitude of play and their tuning in for the social aspect that the eSports community and IPTV provide. Interactive chat functions and user-generated content provide a unique social community that builds social capital among its participants.