Once you decide to start streaming on Twitch, the first logical question that arises is, “What game should I stream?”
Sure, to some, this might seem like a no-brainer – just stream whatever you usually play – but you actually need to invest time and thought into selecting the right video game to stream if you want to be successful. Popular games with high viewership attract many streamers, while smaller games with fewer streamers tend to have lower viewership, and so forth.
For New Streamers
For Experienced Streamers
Today, I present you with a list of the best games to stream. Explore them, discover your style, and begin attracting a new audience with your top-notch content!
Table of Contents
Top Games to Stream on Twitch
In addition to the constant concern of competition when selecting games to stream, you must also consider that many games can fall out of trend, and it is essential to provide your viewers with relevant, fresh content.
Now, let’s explore the best games for your upcoming Twitch stream!
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10 Best Games for New Streamers
First, let’s examine some video games you can stream if you’re a new streamer aiming to launch your career and attract more viewers to your channel.
Some of these titles are indeed significant, but they either failed to stand the test of time or are so prominent that new content is always welcome. Let’s find out.
1. Old School RuneScape
Before World of Warcraft emerged, there was another highly popular MMORPG that was sidelined following the release of WoW.
However, it remains quite popular among older players, many of whom are not streaming. Nonetheless, a significant number of viewers tune in to watch streams of old-school RuneScape, primarily due to nostalgia.
This makes RuneScape an excellent game for new streamers and content creators, so you should aim to turn the tide in your favor.
The community may not be extensive, but you can cultivate a highly loyal viewership and, over time, significantly grow your channel.
According to SullyGnome, in the past 30 days, only 39 channels streamed this game, accumulating 507,980 hours of watch time with just 28,210 hours of broadcasting time.
2. Dota 2
If League of Legends isn’t your preference and you favor the original DotA, then you should begin with Dota 2, a stand-alone sequel to the classic Warcraft 3 mod featuring stunning graphics, formidable creatures, and epic music.
In the last 30 days, there have been 879 channels streaming, totaling 633,254 hours of live streaming time. That’s quite a lot!
However, if we examine those impressive 81,864,640 hours of watch time, there is certainly more than enough opportunity for you to claim your share as well!
This appeal goes beyond the nostalgic feelings many players experience. Another factor contributing to Dota 2’s popularity is its competitive nature.
Each year, numerous tournaments offer substantial rewards, often reaching up to 1 million US dollars. For instance, this year’s prize pool for TI was $14 million, while in 2021, that amount exceeded $40 million! This is, without a doubt, one of the largest games in the esports field.
It’s no surprise that many Twitch streamers aspire to join this highly popular game’s community!
3. STAR WARS: The Old Republic
If you enjoy MMORPGs but find fantasy is not your preference, you might be interested in one of the few Sci-Fi MMOs available on the market.
Released in 2012, The Old Republic was intended to be the game that would end WoW’s dominance.
The game offers an excellent voice-acted story, decent end-game PvE content, and well-crafted, though less popular, PvP.
However, what makes it one of the most enjoyable games to stream is its very welcoming streaming community. There aren’t many Twitch channels broadcasting this game, which is ideal for new streamers.
In the last 30 days, there were only 17 channels streaming this great game, accumulating 93,440 hours of watch time. Additionally, the maximum number of viewers is on the rise, with an average of 713 viewers in the last 30 days.
4. GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
Since its introduction in The Witcher 3, Gwent has become one of the most beloved card games on the market.
Many people welcomed the news that Gwent is becoming a standalone game with enthusiasm. As a result, it’s no surprise that this card game is gaining popularity among streamers as well.
The likely reason for this is the introduction of competitive Gwent tournaments, featuring live rewards and professional teams.
In the past 30 days, this Witcher card game accumulated 514,049 hours of watch time with just 11 Twitch streamers.
5. Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a highly popular card game that was originally released as “Heroes of Warcraft” and is set in the world of Warcraft. Its gameplay differs significantly from that of a Gwent match, but it is engaging in its own right.
This exciting game also includes engaging competitions with appealing rewards. Additionally, it frequently enables players and viewers to obtain special items in other Blizzard games.
Regarding the number of viewers, Hearthstone currently has 18,030 viewers per month and only 140 channels, which is quite good for a streaming newcomer.
6. Animal Crossing
If you are new to Twitch, we have already noted that it is advisable to stream smaller games.
Animal Crossing, the social simulation game featuring anthropomorphic animals and published by Nintendo in 2001, was once a topic of widespread conversation, though its popularity has waned in recent years.
However, this charming little game remains somewhat in demand, as is evident when we examine the image below.
According to SullyGnome, in the past 30 days, Animal Crossing garnered 7,273 hours of watch time, reached a maximum of 3,000 viewers, and had only one channel streaming it!
You don’t need to be a professional player with an advanced PC setup; you can stream Animal Crossing using your Nintendo Switch.
7. Stardew Valley
If you prefer to sit back and enjoy relaxing games for entertainment, then I have the perfect game for your stream.
Stardew Valley is one of the finest pixel-art games of recent years. In this game, you can farm, cook, trade, explore, or pursue any activity you desire, all aimed at rebuilding your farm and property.
The game offers a lot, resulting in a solid player base, and many enjoy watching the gameplay overall.
With just 112 channels streaming Stardew Valley in the past 30 days and a total of 826,507 hours of watch time, this game is an ideal choice for new streamers.
8. PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS
If you prefer action-packed games filled with shooting, explosions, and survival modes rather than casual and relaxing gameplay, then this game is for you.
With a viewer count exceeding 15,000 and approximately 906 Twitch channels, PUBG is an excellent choice for new streamers.
It’s a typical FPS with an intriguing weapon design feature that allows you to customize the weapon you are using.
What enhances the experience further is that the game can be played on mobile devices, thereby attracting more viewers.
9. StarCraft II
As a sequel to one of the most popular real-time strategy games, StarCraft II has become, and remains, the most popular RTS on the Asian continent.
While it owes some of its fame to its predecessor, it stands out as a good game in its own right. The key to its immense popularity lies in the ever-present competitive nature of the game.
Worldwide events are organized across the globe. All of this attracts a significant number of viewers if you stream on Twitch.
If you examine the statistics from the past 30 days, you’ll notice that the number of channels streaming StarCraft II has decreased to 48, while the number of viewers and total watch time has increased. The dedicated fanbase has devoted 2,563,335 hours to watching StarCraft II.
What better time to start streaming than now?
10. Outward
The final game I recommend for those who are relatively new to streaming on Twitch is Outward.
Outward is another RPG featuring an intriguing, albeit somewhat unusual setting. It includes magic, amusing musketeer armors, medieval weapons, a compelling title, and even greater entertainment value.
Overall, Outward is a solid role-playing game, featuring abundant content and a vast world for you to explore.
When it comes to streaming on Twitch, games like this are an excellent choice for new streamers because there are not many channels broadcasting it, while the viewer count is quite decent.
In the last 30 days, only 3 channels have streamed Outward, accumulating a total of 10.125 hours of watch time, according to SullyGnome.
10 Best Games for Experienced Streamers
Now is the time to present the best games for those who are a bit more experienced in the world of streaming.
No matter your play style, there is something for everyone!
1. League of Legends
As one of the most streamed games and a popular competitive MOBA, League of Legends was the first significant challenger to the already immensely popular DotA.
Over the years, it has established its own community and a large player base, with individuals from around the world, making it one of the best games to stream and a highly competitive one!
Just look at these numbers! 147,898,934 hours of watch time in the last 30 days! This game must provide some serious entertainment value!
It is completely free to play this MOBA, where you can choose from a good selection of heroes, or as they are called, champions, each with their own unique abilities. The objective of the game is to advance into the enemy base and destroy their keep.
With the recent surge in popularity of esports, League of Legends has secured its position as one of the most streamed games on Twitch.
2. Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is a recent release from Blizzard Entertainment, launched just a month ago on October 4th, and it has quickly become a favorite!
If you’re an established streamer, you can enjoy this new first-person shooter game and have a great time with other players and fellow streamers. However, if you’re new to streaming, I do not recommend making this your main game.
Overwatch 2 already has nearly 6,000 channels streaming it and an astonishing 141,212,159 hours of watch time!
Many players are somewhat disappointed due to various bugs in the game, but which game has ever been perfect at launch? Blizzard is certainly working to resolve all the issues.
However, even those bugs are not enough to deter the horde of loyal fans from enjoying this year’s most popular game.
3. Fortnite
Currently, one of the best games to stream is Fortnite. It’s a completely free multiplayer game that allows you to enjoy the battle royale genre with your friends.
It initially gained popularity among the younger population, but today, people of all ages can be seen playing the game.
Fortnite can be played on various platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS devices.
As with most other free-to-play games, you can purchase many cosmetic items in the game store, available as paid packages.
While it may not be the strongest in the last 30 days, there is still a considerable number of channels streaming—4,055—and hours watched—28,470,639.
4. World of Warcraft
Released in 2004, World of Warcraft is, by far, the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing virtual world game, or MMORPG for short.
For over 16 years, no game has been able to compete with it and its dedicated fanbase. It hasn’t always been in such good shape, but since the release of its latest expansion, its numbers on Twitch have increased.
This is undoubtedly one of the best games to stream if you aspire to be a professional streamer. Popular streamers like Asmongold attract thousands of viewers per stream, which earns them a substantial income.
However, it is quite challenging to fend off the competition, as many streamers are playing this game to entertain their viewers.
Thirty million five hundred twenty-two thousand watch hours and counting attest to what a great title this has been since its initial release.
You can find streams related to nearly anything in the game, ranging from casual gameplay and guides to PvE and PvP content. As a result, it is one of the most watched games.
5. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto games have consistently enjoyed popularity. However, with the latest installment and the introduction of an impressive multiplayer mode, GTA V has achieved remarkable popularity and has become one of the best games to stream.
Given the intricate in-game economy, stock market manipulation, and numerous activities available in Grand Theft Auto, it is no surprise that many players stream it for their audiences.
In addition, you can observe several individuals streaming the campaign, which is quite interesting in itself.
Strong numbers reveal the truth – 2,521 channels streaming GTA V and nearly 95 million hours of watch time demonstrate what an excellent game this is.
6. VALORANT
Another free-to-play first-person shooter game, VALORANT, invites you to explore and enhance your tactical skills in 5v5 matches against other players.
The most striking aspect is the graphics, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better battle stage than the entire world presented in VALORANT.
Just over 2 years since its release, VALORANT continues to thrive, with nearly 4,500 channels streaming this month and over 65 million hours of watch time.
7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Although it has been some time since its release, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS: GO for short, remains one of the most popular games.
Popular games are not only enjoyed for playing these days, but also for streaming. Many people feel nostalgic and take pleasure in watching good Counter-Strike rounds.
Furthermore, Counter-Strike is highly competitive. Regular tournaments attract many viewers on Twitch.
Global Offensive has attracted nearly 80,000 viewers in the past 30 days across just over 1,000 Twitch channels.
Additionally, whenever there is a tournament, this game can quickly rise to become one of the top games on Twitch.
8. Minecraft
Even after all these years, Minecraft has maintained its popularity, particularly with the latest edition of the game. It is not only one of the most streamed games, but it is also considered one of the best games of all time, according to the statistics.
Over 40 million hours of watch time speak for themselves.
In Minecraft, you can do anything you desire. Over the years, people have collaborated to create amazing structures and buildings across numerous servers.
The game is popular among people of all ages, from young gamers to adults. Its simple yet polished gameplay attracts a wide audience.
It is also very popular and trending on YouTube.
9. Call of Duty: Warzone
Following a decline in the popularity of Call of Duty games, particularly regarding the campaign aspect, developers chose to alter their approach slightly.
Call of Duty: Warzone is a battle royale first-person shooter available on PlayStation, Xbox One, and PC through the Battle.Net client.
Playing on PlayStation and PC is completely free; however, if you wish to play on Xbox One, you will need to pay to access the online features on that platform.
With nearly 20 million hours of watch time in the past 30 days, I can confidently assert that CoD is and has been one of the most popular games to stream.
10. Apex Legends
It seems that shooter games and battle royale games have become quite popular lately, so Apex Legends must be on my list as well.
Nearly four years after its release, Apex Legends remains one of the most watched and streamed games on Twitch.
I’m not sure whether I’m more impressed by the graphics, the heroes, or the fan art, but there is certainly a reason for this game’s popularity since its initial release in February 2019.
With over 30 million hours of watch time and more than 3000 channels streaming it on Twitch in the past 30 days, the numbers speak for themselves!
Conclusion
That’s all, folks!
I hope you found something to try in this extensive selection of popular titles.
I can’t wait to see you streaming games from the list!
