Twitch Triumph: Best Games to Stream on Twitch in 2023-2024 (Some Hidden Gems in the List!)

Trying to make headway in Twitch as a newcomer streamer can be challenging, to say the least. There are millions of channels on Twitch churning out years worth of content each day.

However, it’s still entirely possible to flourish on Twitch, as long as you choose the right game and stream it at the right time.

What games should I stream on Twitch?

League of Legends, Dota 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant are by far the most popular games on the platform, with millions of subscribers and attracting thousands of viewers at any given time.

But first, let’s talk a bit about the Twitch landscape.

Understanding the Streaming Landscape in 2023

Twitch is witnessing rapid growth with over 7.3M channels that have uploaded over 1 trillion minutes worth of content so far. Being a platform centered around game streaming, it’s no surprise that over 80% of content on Twitch covers video games. However, non-gaming categories such as cooking, music, arts, and crafts, etc. are also gaining momentum, falling under Twitch’s ‘Just Chatting’ category.

As for the viewers’ demographic, over 80% of Twitch users are male. The most common age group is between 16-24 years old, making up over 35% of the total viewership. The next biggest group is comprised of people between 25 to 34 years of age, accounting for 32% of Twitch’s total traffic.

The most popular gaming genre on Twitch is MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), which includes games like League of Legends, followed by MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) like World of Warcraft, Action-Adventure games like Grand Theft Auto V, and competitive first-person shooters such as Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant.

Now, you must be wondering: What games get the most views on Twitch, and what games to stream on Twitch for growth in 2023? Well, we are here to answer just that!

11 Popular Games with Established Communities to Stream on Twitch

First, we are going to discuss the most popular games on Twitch. These 11 games hold the lion’s share of Twitch’s total viewership but still have some room for newcomer streamers to flourish.

1. League of Legends

League of Legends (LoL) is a popular free-to-play PvP MOBA game that has been highly popular since its release in 2009 by Riot Games. Its enduring popularity is evident by its #2 spot in Twitch ranking. Over the years, LoL has gained a cult following, accumulating 36.8M subscribers on Twitch. In the past week alone, it has averaged 224K views with over 2.8K channels streaming the game. This translates to 78.5 views per channel, showcasing its wide appeal among gamers.

Standout Feature

LoL’s huge popularity among MOBA players and its stable user base, even after a decade since its release, make it an ideal game for building long-lasting viewership.

2. Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V needs a little introduction. Released in 2013 by Rockstar Games, the game has shown remarkable longevity, still going strong even after a decade. This endurance stands as a testament to the franchise’s popularity. It’s no surprise then that GTA-V boasts 64.3M followers on Twitch.

Over the past week, 2.5K channels streamed GTA-V with an average of 155K views, which equates to 61 views per channel.

Standout Feature

GTA-V is a global sensation with a highly diverse demographic, offering you ample flexibility to tap into different audience bases. It’s loved by everyone and remains the second most popular game on Twitch, only behind LoL.

3. Dota 2

Defense of the Ancients 2, or simply Dota 2, is another PvP MOBA game released and published by Valve in 2013. Like GTA-V, a game also released in 2013, Dota 2 enjoys a loyal user base with 17.4M followers. In the past week, Dota 2 had an average of 114K viewers, spread across over a thousand channels that streamed the game. This gives the game roughly 113 views per channel, a remarkable feat for such a popular game.

Standout Feature

While having a somewhat steep learning curve, the game remains highly popular and currently sits at the #4 spot on Twitch, thanks to its production quality and rewarding, addicting gameplay—a staple of Valve.

4. Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike, or simply CS2, is a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Valve, the same creators behind Dota 2. Released less than a month ago in September 2023, CS2 has garnered 26.2M followers on Twitch.

Last week, it was watched by over 80K viewers on average, spread across more than 1.6K channels covering the game. This translates to a substantial 48.8 viewers per channel, showcasing the game’s rapid rise in popularity among Twitch audiences.

Standout Feature

Counter-Strike is a franchise with a rich history. First released in 2000, Counter-Strike has managed to define the modern FPS eSports genre. With Valve behind it, known for its top-notch production quality, CS2’s popularity is unlikely to dwindle with age.

5. Valorant

Valorant, developed by Riot Games and released in 2020, is a free-to-play tactical first-person hero shooter and is the 6th most popular game on Twitch. The game has a massive 17.7M followers, and in the last week, it attracted just over 69K players on average. There were over 3.6K channels live-streaming the game, amounting to a total of 18.9 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

Valorant’s core gameplay mechanics are somewhat inspired by Counter-Strike, which is its biggest strength. Players transitioning from Counter-Strike find it easy to adapt to Valorant’s core gameplay, and this is the reason Valorant became an internet sensation in just a little over 3 years. At this point, Valorant’s popularity is unlikely to diminish.

6. Fortnite

Fortnite is a highly popular survival battle royale game developed and published by Epic Games in 2017. It’s currently the 9th most popular game on Twitch with a staggering 89.8M followers. In the past week, the game maintained an average weekly viewership of over 47K views, spread across just over 5.1K channels which translates to 9.2 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

Fortnite’s biggest strength lies in its accessibility. It’s available on virtually all platforms, including Mac OS, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. This wide availability is one of the main reasons behind its immense popularity. Additionally, Epic Games has managed to keep Fortnite fresh since its inception in 2017 by regularly adding new and exciting content with each season.

7. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft, or simply WoW, is a classic MMORPG old enough to have its own driving license. Released almost two decades ago in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment, the game has gracefully stood the test of time, thanks to nine major expansion packs released over the years.

All that effort by Blizzard has paid off well, judging by the game’s 10th spot in Twitch Ranking with 10.5M followers, 48K weekly views, and over 1.2K channels covering the game.

Standout Feature

The standout feature of WoW is its age. It’s a timeless classic that’s not only popular among Gen. Z but also among Gen. X and Millennials, which puts it in a very unique position with a highly diverse age demographic.

8. Minecraft

Everyone’s beloved sandbox game, Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios, is over a decade old now. Despite its age, it remains the 14th most popular game on Twitch, boasting a massive 55.4M followers, over 34K weekly viewers, and more than 2K channels covering the game which adds up to 16.6 views per channel.

Standout Feature

The standout feature of Minecraft is the freedom its procedurally generated world grants to the player. The game essentially has no goals outside of achievements, which gives a streamer endless possibilities to stand out from the rest.

9. Apex Legends

Respawn Entertainment’s Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale hero-shooter published by Electronic Arts. Set in the Titanfall universe, Apex Legends currently holds the 15th spot in Twitch rankings with 19M followers. Last week, it averaged around 30K viewers with just under 2K streamers, resulting in a total of 10.3 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

The standout feature of Apex Legends is its diverse gameplay. The game fuses different game genres, offering a unique gameplay experience that caters to a wide range of players.

10. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Call of Duty: Warzone, developed in collaboration with Raven Software and Infinity Ward and published by Activision, is a free-to-play battle royale game that currently ranks 16th on Twitch. The game has 20.7M followers and averages over 29K viewers per week, spread across more than 2.7K channels. This gives Call of Duty: Warzone an average of 10.8 views per channel.

Standout Feature

Call of Duty: Warzone allows up to 150 players in a single match, which is an exceptionally high player count. Additionally, the game is free-to-play, further adding to its appeal.

11. Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2, a first-person PvP hero shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment, stands as the 19th most popular game on Twitch. It boasts 21.1M followers, an average of 22.5K weekly viewers, and just under 1.5K channels dedicated to the game, resulting in a total of 15.5 views per channel.

Standout Feature

Designed and published by Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch 2 has some serious pedigree. Its gameplay is fast-paced and addicting, which is the main reason for its immense popularity among the younger demographic.

7 Niche Games with Engaged Audiences to Stream on Twitch

Here, we will be discussing the more niche games. While these games lack the sheer audience of the heavy hitters that we’ve already discussed, they make up for it by having more average views per channel, providing you with a better opportunity to grow your channel.

1. Rust

Rust is a multiplayer survival game developed by Double Eleven and published by Facepunch Studios. It combines gameplay elements from DayZ, a popular ARMA 2 mod, as well as crafting elements from Minecraft. The game has a total of 7.2M followers on Twitch and manages to attract over 12K viewers each week, spread across approximately 300 channels. This results in an impressive 36.7 views per channel.

Standout Feature

As a niche game, Rust isn’t on the radar of most streamers. Despite that, its viewership remains steady, accumulating well over 10K views per week on average. This provides new Twitch streamers with a great opportunity to avoid harsh competition and kick-start a brand-new channel with a small but loyal fanbase.

2. Dark Souls

Dark Souls is an action RPG from 2011 that was developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games. Often cited as one of the greatest video games of all time, the game has become a cult classic and has inspired or influenced many games, including Witcher 3 and God of War.

Dark Souls currently has 1.7M subscribers and draws an average of over 500 views a week. There are 9 channels covering the game on average, resulting in a total of 56.2 views per channel.

Standout Feature

Dark Souls is a cult classic, revered for its high difficulty and subtle storytelling. Even though it’s over a decade old, it still generates good views for a game of its age. With an average of 56.2 views per channel, there’s a lot of room for growth for newcomers.

3. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a farm life simulator designed, developed, and published by ConcernedApe. Many consider the game as the spiritual successor to the highly popular Harvest Moon franchise. Currently, it has 1.5M followers on Twitch. In the past week, the game generated 1.1K views per week with 115 channels streaming it, translating into 9.7 views per channel.

Standout Feature

Unlike most other games that focus on high-octane gameplay, Stardew Valley is a slow-paced, relaxing farming game. The game is open-ended, giving players complete freedom in what they want to do. So, if your eSports skills are lacking or if you simply don’t want to engage competitively with other players, Stardew Valley is a compelling option.

4. Don’t Starve Together

Don’t Starve Together is a standalone multiplayer expansion pack of Don’t Starve, a survival video game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. In this game, players take on the role of a scientist trapped in a dark parallel world and must survive as long as possible.

Currently, it has 1.2M followers on Twitch and generates an average of 1.7K weekly views with around 50 channels covering the game. This averages out to 36.1 views per channel.

Standout Feature

Don’t Starve Together is a low-budget indie game that, despite being over 10 years old, still maintains a small but steady fanbase. The game focuses on resource gathering and, similar to Stardew Valley, provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience for both the streamer and the viewer.

5. Eve Online

Eve Online is a sci-fi MMORPG set in space, developed by CCP Games and published by Simon & Schuster Interactive. Released in 2003, it continues to be a popular choice among MMORPG enthusiasts. The game has 393K followers on Twitch and averages 1.5K viewers each week. There are 24 channels covering the game, resulting in an impressive 66 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

What sets Eve Online apart from the rest is its scope. The game allows players to control the in-game economy and politics, giving them the ability to turn the tides on the competition. This adds a whole new dimension compared to most MMORPGs. Moreover, it’s super niche, with only around two dozen channels covering the game. This leaves more than enough room for newcomers to flourish.

6. The Simpsons: Hit & Run

Simpsons: Hit & Run is an action-adventure game released in 2003 by Vivendi Universal Game. Developed by Radical Entertainment, the game follows the beloved Simpsons Family and their friends as they embark on various fun adventures in Springfield.

Currently, the game has 257K subscribers and attracts around 1.6K viewers on average, with only a dozen channels covering the game. This gives the game an astonishing viewers per channel count of 133.

Standout Feature

If you’re looking for a niche game, it doesn’t get any better than The Simpsons: Hit & Run. There are only a handful of channels covering this two-decades-old game, giving you a big opportunity to boost your Twitch presence.

7. Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid is a 2D isometric open-world zombie survival horror game that has solidified its position as one of the best indie games available. Developed and published by ‘The Indie Stone,’ the game challenges players to survive in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world for as long as possible.

Currently, the game has 542K followers on Twitch, with average weekly viewership reaching 3.7K views. There are around 120 channels covering the game, resulting in viewers per channel count of 31.3.

Standout Feature

Being one of the few 2D games on our list, Project Zomboid doesn’t require too much processing power. You can easily stream it from a low-end laptop or a desktop. Additionally, zombie games remain in high demand even after so many years, so this game genre is unlikely to die out.

6 Up-And-Coming Games with Growth Potential to Stream on Twitch

Now, let’s discuss all the upcoming and newly released games that are expected to make big splashes on Twitch, giving aspiring newcomers lots of opportunity to grow their channels:

1. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is a newly released game that has taken the internet by storm. Launched less than a month ago, the game has already amassed 45.9K followers and is drawing over 64K views a week on average.

Currently, 3.5K channels are covering the game, resulting in viewers per channel count of 18.4.

Standout Feature

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a brand-new game from a high-profile game studio, so its popularity is unlikely to decline anytime soon. Additionally, the game will most likely be released on PC in the coming years, which will further boost interest in the game.

2. EA Sports FC 24

EA Sports FC 24 is a football simulation video game co-developed by EA Romania and Vancouver and published by EA Sports. Currently, the game holds the 8th spot in Twitch rankings and has amassed 437K followers on Twitch.

It gets an average of 59K views per week, spread across just under 1.4K channels. This results in an average of 42.3 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

EA Sports FC 24 has some serious pedigree, being one of EA’s flagship products. The game enjoyed solid sales, especially in the U.K., becoming the best-selling video game in the country for two consecutive weeks. Moreover, the game is still less than a month old, so it will likely see a lot of activity in the coming weeks.

3. Tekken 8

Tekken 8 is an upcoming fighting game being developed by Arika and Bandai Namco Studios, the latter of which will also serve as the publisher. Built on the latest Unreal Engine 5 and with legendary Katsuhiro Harada serving as the producer, the game will send shockwaves in the entire gaming industry upon its release, which is currently set for January 26, 2024.

Standout Feature

Tekken is a legendary game franchise that, alongside Counter-Strike, has helped shape the modern eSports landscape. Needless to say, Tekken 8 is going to be a blockbuster and will send shockwaves through Twitch upon its release, which is mere months away. So, if you’re into fighting games, be sure to keep an eye on it.

4. Grand Theft Auto 6

While Grand Theft Auto 6, or simply GTA 6, has become a meme within the gaming community, not unlike Half-Life 3, due to its delayed launch, the game has been officially confirmed to be in active development. A big reveal is reportedly just around the corner.

Standout Feature

While there’s very little known about GTA 6 at the moment, one thing is for certain: It’ll be massive, with production reportedly costing hundreds of millions. Some sources even put the figure in billions, though it’s wise to take rumors with a grain of salt. But needless to say, it’ll have a big impact on Twitch streaming.

5. Diablo IV

Diablo IV is an action RPG developed by Blizzard Albany and Blizzard Team 3 and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Released just months ago on June 5, 2023, the game currently holds the 12th spot on Twitch with an average of 38.8K weekly viewers.

Approximately 932 channels create content for the game, with an average viewers per channel count of 41.7.

Standout Feature

Being a newly released game, Diablo IV has a long, bright future ahead of it. Its predecessor, Diablo III, enjoyed almost a decade of popularity, and all signs indicate that Diablo IV will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor.

6. Dark and Darker

Dark and Darker is an upcoming game from the South Korean studio ‘Ironmace.’ It’s a first-person dungeon crawler RPG that was released into early access earlier this year.

Despite still being in early access, the game has amassed 143K followers with an average of 5.8K viewers and 134 channels on average. This results in a total of 43.9 viewers per channel, which is quite impressive.

Standout Feature

Given Dark and Darker’s performance even in early access, it’s safe to say that the game will explode in popularity once it’s fully released. Despite being a brand-new IP, the initial test run has shown promising results on Twitch.

6 Best Mobile Games to Stream on Twitch

Do you like the idea of streaming games from your phone anywhere? Here, we have carefully selected the top 6 mobile games to stream on Twitch.

1. Roblox

Roblox, created and published by Roblox Corporation, is a unique online multiplayer game that allows users to create their own games and let others play them. Available on both iOS and Android, Roblox has 9.2M followers on Twitch and generates an average of 4.5K viewers per week. Last week, Roblox was streamed by just over 1K streamers, resulting in an average of 4.2 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

Unlike other games on our list, Roblox is unique in that it allows gamers to create and play their own games, which is the reason behind its immense popularity.

2. Among Us

Among us is a social deduction online multiplayer game developed and published by Innersloth. The game currently has 14.1M followers on Twitch and generates a 2.4K average weekly viewership spread across just over 100 channels. This gives Among Us an average of 31.3 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

Among Us is available on all platforms and supports cross-platform play. So, even when you stream from your smartphone, you don’t miss out on anything.

3. Teamfight Tactics

Teamfight Tactics or TFT is a League of Legends spinoff that’s developed and published by Riot Games. It currently has 3M followers on Twitch with an average weekly view count of 26.9K spread across just under 300 channels for a total of 95.6 viewers per streamer. It’s available on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

Standout Feature

TFT is highly addictive, which is the main reason behind its success. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an ‘evergreen’ fanbase.

4. Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a free-to-play card game directed by Ben Brode and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.  It currently has 9.6M followers on Twitch. In the past week, the game attracted 15.3K views across 122 channels for an average per-channel view count of 126.

Standout Feature

Hearthstone is available on Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android and supports cross-platform play. The per-channel view count of 126 is above average, making it a compelling option for newcomers looking to find their way into the crowded platform.

5. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is an online RPG developed by miHoYo. The game currently has 6.3M Twitch followers and managed to attract an average of 12.2K views last week, streamed by just under 900 Twitch channels. This gives Genshin Impact an average viewership of 13.7 per channel.

Standout Feature

Genshin Impact is available on all platforms, excluding MacOS. The game has an open-world map that can be freely explored by the player. As a Twitch streamer, you’ve complete freedom to do whatever you like, making your content unique.

6. Clash Royale

Clash Royale, a Clash of Clans spinoff, is a game exclusive to mobile platforms, namely iOS, Android, and iPad OS. Developed and published by Supercell, the game currently has 6.5M followers on Twitch with an average of 1.9K views a week. Last week, a total of 33 channels covered the game which translates to 60.2 viewers per channel.

Standout Feature

Being a tower defense game, Clash Royale stands out as the most popular game in its genre. While the genre may be considered a bit niche, the viewers-to-streamers ratio is pretty high, giving newcomer Twitch streamers more than enough headroom to flourish their channel.

Honorable Mentions— 4 Additional Games with Good Streaming Potential

Looking for more? Here are our top 4 honorable mentions:

• Casino Jackpot.
• Dead by Daylight.
• Super Mario Bros.
• Wonder Pokémon Scarlet/Violet

What Factors to Consider When Picking Games for Twitch Streaming?

Now, you might be wondering: How do I choose a game to stream? Well, there are quite a few things that you must keep in mind:

• Accessibility for Viewers: Choose games that are easy for viewers to follow and understand, even if they’re not familiar with the game themselves.
• Personal Interest: Make sure the game you choose interests you personally. That way, you won’t have to feign interest in something you don’t like at a personal level.
• Engagement Potential: Consider the game’s engagement potential. If the game has linear progress and storytelling then fewer viewers may be interested in your content.
• Niche or Unique Appeal: Next, it’s best to choose a game that’s a bit niche. Choosing a more popular game means you’ll have to compete against well-established streamers. As a newcomer, making headway in such a scenario can be quite difficult.
• Viewer Participation Opportunities: Ask for viewer’s opinions and let them participate. This will make sure your content is more engaging as viewers will find it more personal.
• Social Features: Use the games’ social features to your advantage. Games that have strong community features, like in-game chats, forums, or social media integration, can help you build a dedicated following.
• Stability: Make sure the game you choose to stream generates consistent viewership. A lot of games often explode in popularity on Twitch but go on a downward trajectory after some time.
• Reliable and Well-Optimized: Choose games that are well-optimized and unlikely to crash or have technical issues during the stream.
• Current Trends: Keep yourself up to date with the current trends in gaming. Especially keep an eye out for new games as they’re guaranteed to draw a lot of audience, at least in the short run.
• Variety: Keep your roster of games diverse by introducing some variety in your content. For example, if you mostly stream slow-paced games then it might be a good idea to add some fast-paced games into the mix.
• Age Appropriateness: Try to stream games that are rated E (Everyone) or PG (Parental Guidance), to have as much potential audience as possible.

FAQs- Best Games to Stream on Twitch

What Is the Most Played FPS Game on Twitch?

Counter-Strike 2 currently stands as the most popular FPS game on Twitch.

What Is the #1 Streaming Game on Twitch?

League of Legends is currently the #1 streaming game on Twitch.

Should I Stream One Game at a Time?

While it’s a good idea to just focus on one game, it’s best to stream multiple games to keep your live streams diverse and attract new subscribers. Your viewers may get bored if you stream the same content again and again, especially if your game is linear in terms of gameplay and storytelling.

Does It Matter What Game You Stream on Twitch?

Yes, absolutely. There are various trends that directly – or indirectly – influence a game’s popularity on Twitch. There’s always a possibility that a game that is popular today may slip into relative obscurity in a year or so, or even months. Hence it’s crucial to select the games you want to stream based on their popularity, your personal interest, competition from other streamers, and the target audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re looking to grow your Twitch channel, any of these games will give you the headstart you need. Just make sure the games you choose not only interest you at a personal level but also follow the latest trends in the world of gaming and Twitch.