Live streaming has become one of the most powerful platforms online for entertainment. Through their vast connections streamers are able to engage in real time with their fan base and have built up communities across the globe. Whilst it may have seemed like a small hobby, it is now considered to be a viable career path with many popular streamers earning impressive invoices through fan subscriptions, sponsorships and partnerships.
The Rise of Streaming
Live streaming has become a powerful tool within the gaming and social side of the industry. Early streamers would broadcast from their bedrooms using basic webcams and microphones to reach their audiences. In 2025, there are several streaming platforms which dominate the market including Twitch and YouTube. Twitch has become the global stage where the types of games people love are played by streamers they love to watch and from this comes a variety of content. YouTube on the other hand is a household name now; therefore, it reached massive audiences worldwide. As there are so many streamers nowadays, viewers can tune in to watch games from a large variety of genres from casino, to horror, to sci-fi to sporting. There is likely to be a streamer for every game genre out there.
The Most Popular Streaming Genres
Just Chatting was the most popular on Twitch with 48 380 243 Hours Watched. This is a social/interactive streaming genre where streamers connect directly with their audience with the inclusion of live chat, polls, Q&A sessions and real-time interactions.
Rather than have a specific objective or aim, the goal of this genre is to build a sense of community. You could stream a variety of activities, from coloring, assembling a puzzle or doing chores, to cooking or sharing some of your favorite things to explore online. This mirrors how people are increasingly gravitating towards authentic, interactive experiences over passive consumption
The genres that have the most streamers tend to be battle royales. As these genres are so crowded, new streamers find it hard to stand out but the large audiences also mean big opportunities for those who do. With variety streaming, success relies less on skill and more on personality, letting charismatic creators capture attention and grow loyal following.
Story driven games are a highly popular choice within the game genres involving role playing. It does depend on where the statistics come from as different countries are seen as preferring different consoles alongside their genres. For instance, it has been seen that Europe tends to not only have strategy as their lead genre, but they typically prefer PC gaming and a console focus.
Leading Streamers in 2025
Currently, streamer LVNDMARK appears to be leading the way in terms of viewership. As of November 2025, he boasts 1.43m followers and has streamed 18,803 hours. He mainly streams himself playing Escape from Tarkov, but he also streams a variety of other games, including Arena Breakout: Infinite, Battlefield titles, ARC Raiders and others. These all belong to the tactical shooter/action shooter genre reflecting a growing public interest in competitive gameplay. A lot of his success can also be attributed to the frequency of his livestreams as he usually broadcasts six to seven days a week, often for 6-8 hours per session.
In terms of the most-followed Twitch streamers, Kai Cenat holds the top spot. Although must of his streaming time is spent connecting with his fans and having conversations with them, he plays titles such as Grand Theft Auto V and Minecraft. What keeps his content fresh is his ability to mix humor and switch between celebrity collaborations and gaming content.
Following closely behind, Ibai, a Spanish streamer with around 19.8 million followers, is known for his charisma and engaging personality. He plays games like League of Legends but also spends much of his time doing “Just Chatting” hosting interviews and organizing spectacle‑packed events. His ability to strike a balance gaming and entertainment allows him to appeal to both experienced gamers and casual viewers.
There are leading genres within the gaming industry from both players looking to actually play themselves and for players to watch other players for entertainment purposes. Action games, sporting games and adventure games are trending, and we are not seeing a decline in their interest. Streamers grow alongside the interest in a game. Even if you do not follow the streamer you end up watching you may find that you watch them just to see the game played and how it plays rather than investing in it yourself first.
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