Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Stream Hatchet
Shooter games remain a pillar of live streaming, accounting for 6.1 billion hours watched in 2024, though their total market share has declined by 6% since 2022.
Tactical shooters became the most-watched subgenre in 2023, with Valorant and Counter-Strike capturing 90% of that segment's viewership.
Battle royale viewership has halved since its 2020 peak, despite the sustained popularity of Fortnite.
Esports is a critical driver of engagement, accounting for nearly 50% of all Counter-Strike viewership by late 2025.
Viewer demographics are geographically segmented, with Counter-Strike concentrated in Europe, PUBG Mobile dominating the Asian market, and Valorant maintaining a balanced global presence.
Extraction shooters maintain a stable niche, with Escape From Tarkov responsible for nearly two-thirds of all hours watched in that subgenre.
Community fluidity is high within the tactical shooter category, as evidenced by 40% of Valorant viewers also engaging with competing titles.
Shooter games remain a pillar of live streaming, accounting for 6.1 billion hours watched in 2024, though their total market share has declined by 6% since 2022.
Tactical shooters became the most-watched subgenre in 2023, with Valorant and Counter-Strike capturing 90% of that segment's viewership.
Battle royale viewership has halved since its 2020 peak, despite the sustained popularity of Fortnite.
Esports is a critical driver of engagement, accounting for nearly 50% of all Counter-Strike viewership by late 2025.
Viewer demographics are geographically segmented, with Counter-Strike concentrated in Europe, PUBG Mobile dominating the Asian market, and Valorant maintaining a balanced global presence.
Extraction shooters maintain a stable niche, with Escape From Tarkov responsible for nearly two-thirds of all hours watched in that subgenre.
Community fluidity is high within the tactical shooter category, as evidenced by 40% of Valorant viewers also engaging with competing titles.