Twitch is a highly popular live streaming platform that is primarily focused on video games. Even though in recent times Twitch has seen an influx of popular “IRL” or in-real-life content creators populate their platform, Twitch still seems to be committed to ensuring its title as the premier destination for video game content centered around live streaming.
We’ve gathered insights from twitchmetrics.com over the past month to determine the most-watched games. Here are the top five most-watched games on Twitch based on viewership data.
5) Dota 2
Dota 2 was released back in 2013 and has been a staple on Twitch ever since. Dota 2, short for Defense of the Ancients 2, is a multiplayer MOBA developed by Valve. The game is heavily dependent on team play and builds as two teams of five players each have to compete to destroy the opposing team’s “Ancient”, a heavily guarded structure located in each team’s home base.
Players can choose from a wide selection of heroes or characters with unique abilities and playstyles. Competitively, Dota 2 has established an international following comprised of die-hard fans who tune in to tournaments or simply just tune in to support their favorite creators online.
In the past 30 days on Twitch, Dota 2 has amassed 41,056,024 watch hours, putting it at number five on our list.
4) Counter-Strike 2 (CS:G0)
Anyone familiar with FPS games is probably familiar with CS:G0. Being one of the quintessential FPS competitive shooters of the generation, CS:GO is not only one of the most-watched games on Twitch, but it’s also the most-played game on Steam. Also developed by Valve, CS:GO or Counter-Strike Global Offensive has benefitted largely from its massive competitive player base and fanbase. With strong backing from Valve, the esports scene has been able to thrive throughout the years, with tournaments such as the Major Championships drawing in millions of viewers.
CS:GO has almost created a separate genre within the FPS category, with games like Valorant clearly taking inspiration from the game’s map design, gameplay design, and overall concept. In the past 30 days on Twitch, CS2 amassed 83,338,453 watch hours, which gives it a generous lead over Dota 2, placing it at number four on our list.
3) Valorant
Valorant, which was released in 2020, is a free-to-play, multiplayer FPS game developed by Riot Games. In the early days, Valorant was heavily compared to CS:G0 due to the similarities in gameplay and overall map design. However, since then, Valorant has become its very own entity, worthy to stand on its own. While there are elements from CS:GO, Valorant also took hints of inspiration from several other FPS games including Overwatch and Apex Legends. This is evident in the character selection that the game boasts.
Agents, as they’re called, are divided into different classes such as Duelists, Controllers, Initiators, and Sentinels, with each class providing a specific role when it comes to team composition. The game is popular among competitive and professional players, as it rewards high-skill and strategic gameplay.
Similar to previous games on this list, Valorant also has a booming esports scene, which has helped the game thrive over the past years. On Twitch, Valorant has garnered 87,932,658 total watch hours in the past 30 days. This puts it at number three on our list.
2) League of Legends
League of Legends, often abbreviated to LoL, is a multiplayer MOBA both developed and published by Riot Games. Since its launch in October 2009, League of Legends has gone on to be one of the most successful games of all time, establishing itself as one of the world’s most beloved and frequently played games in modern times.
In League of Legends, the primary mode is Summoner’s Rift, in which two teams compete to annihilate the opposing team’s Nexus, a structure located in each team’s home base. One of the most important aspects of League of Legends is strategy and tactics. Characters, or “champions”, each have their own distinct appearance, abilities, and role in-game. These champions are instrumental within a team, as team composition often makes the difference between a win and a loss.
Following the trend of a thriving esports scene, League of Legends is no different. This game has maintained a highly active competitive scene ever since its launch. And this is one of the main reasons why League of Legends is still so successful to this day.
In the past 30 days, League of Legends amassed 99,261,192 watch hours on Twitch, making it the runner-up on our list.
1) Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V, or GTA 5, has enjoyed massive success since its launch in 2013. When it comes to live service games, Grand Theft Auto V is truly in a lane of its own. The game not only features a critically acclaimed campaign, but there’s also an online mode that allows players to jump into a plethora of activities with their friends and build an entire criminal empire. However, the main reason for GTA V’s continued success, especially on Twitch, is GTA RP.
In GTA RP, or Grand Theft Auto Roleplay, players can make their very own server or join existing servers as well as create their own characters. Players engage with each other in GTA RP by assuming the roles of characters like criminals, law enforcement officers, business owners, or simply regular citizens.
While GTA V doesn’t have a booming esports scene, it has managed to capture the attention of casual gamers internationally. This is why in the past 30 days, GTA V has amassed a whopping 139,965,911 watch hours on Twitch, making it the most-watched game on the platform.
