Twitch, the Amazon-ownedvideo live-streamingplatform, recently shared some fascinating stats—such as which game attracted the most watch hours in 2024. At the top of the list? A household name that launched more than a decade ago, proving that newer doesn’t always mean better.
I’d hate to keep you waiting any longer, so let’s dive into which game is crushing it on Twitch, how it managed to get to the top, and a few other key highlights from the announcement.
The Biggest Game on Twitch
If you haven’t already guessed, the game that drew the most viewership on Twitch last year was none other than the open-world, action-adventure sandbox:Grand Theft Auto V.
Streams ofGTA Vhave racked upover 1.4 billion watch hours—a tremendous feat for a title that’s nearly 12 years old. Still, for those paying attention, it’s no surprise.GTA Vconsistently ranks among the most-watched titles on Twitch year after year andwas the most-viewed game in 2023, too.
More Twitch Highlights and Trends
When you claim the #1 spot the wayGTA Vdid, you’re bound to steal most of the limelight. ButLeague of Legendsalso had a huge year, pulling inover 1.19 billion watch hours.
League of Legendswas neck-and-neck withGTA Vthroughout most of 2023, withGTA Vonly breaking away in the final days of the year. Ithas worn the crown many times before, though, so in a way, this wasGTA Vreasserting itself as the top dog.
Trailing behind these two juggernauts were some familiar faces:
In total,over 15.6 billion hoursof gaming content was consumed on Twitch throughout 2024.
Twitch emphasized its dominance, noting that it now commandsmore than 60%of the global gaming live-streaming audience, with YouTube Gaming and Kick standing as its primary competition.
Finally, the report highlighted another rising trend: streams featuringVTuberscontinued to grow in popularity, drawingover 1.1 billion watch hoursin 2024.
The Secret Behind GTA V’s Streaming Success
So, how isGTA Vable to pull in more viewership than a game likeLeague of Legends—a title with a vibrant competitive scene and even a hit TV adaptation inArcane?
The biggest contributor is certainlyGTA Online, the game’s multiplayer component. WhileGTA Vis famous for its story mode, it also hosts a thriving online community where role-playing has become a massive draw.
Many of the most-watchedGTA Vstreams feature players immersing themselves in character-driven scenarios—maybe a once-ordinary civilian who’s fallen into a life of crime, or a cop who doesn’t always play by the rules. Streamers often build elaborate backstories for these characters and let their lives unfold organically in front of their audiences.
Unlike a traditional single-player game, which eventually runs out of scripted content, role-playing inGTA Onlineoffers endless entertainment. There’s always a fresh character idea to explore, and the interactions between role-players ensure that no two sessions are ever quite the same.
And even thoughGTA Vis an older title, it’s still the latest entry in Rockstar’s legendary franchise. Withthe release ofGTA VIgetting closer, fans are doing anything they can to quench their thirst—including watching others experienceGTA V.
