The popularity of Twitch video game streaming has grown to the point where it has become a cultural phenomenon. Even four or five years ago, watching people play video games in real-time for the purpose of entertainment was unheard of.
Every day, a large number of different video games are streamed on Twitch, but only a few stand out. As a result, Newzoo compiled a list of the top 10 most popular Twitch games in September 2021, based on total hours streamed: “Grand Theft Auto V” made 143.9 million dollars, while “League of Legends” made 107 million dollars. There are 92.4 million “Valorous” people in the world. “Minecraft” is played by 76.1 million people. “Apex Legends” has a budget of $68.5 million.
“Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” was played by 61.3 million people. “Fortnite” has been downloaded by 60 million people. “Call of Duty: Warzone/Modern Warfare” received 59.6 million dollars. The “New World” is home to 40.4 million people. The greatest streamers have become millions as a result of the popularity of streaming these games on Twitch, allowing them to play video games all day as a full-time job.
But why are these games being streamed for billions of hours and people still can’t get enough of them? There’s some reasonable science behind it that could explain everything.
Mimicry as a Scientific Field
In the brain, mirror neurons are a type of neuron. They’re found in almost every species, and their main purpose is to allow you to mimic or copy someone else’s actions, sounds, or even feelings.
According to The Conversation, mirror neurons play a significant role in the popularity of Twitch gaming streams. Participants’ mirror neurons fire when they watch the games, causing them to feel the emotional highs and lows as if they were playing the game themselves.
It’s the same rush as watching live sports like football or basketball. As a result, people may simply state their case when asked why they enjoy watching others play video games.
