Report · January 1, 2023

The Games We Watched: Lurkit’s Top 500 Global Stream Report

Published by Lurkit

Summary

The global gaming industry experienced a period of significant contrast in 2023, characterized by record-breaking streaming engagement despite internal industry volatility such as widespread layoffs. Analysis of 170,000 games and 12 million channels reveals that the top 500 titles alone generated nearly 15 billion hours of viewership on Twitch. This engagement is heavily concentrated at the top of the market, with only 11 titles accounting for half of the total viewership among the top 500. Grand Theft Auto V maintained its position as the most-watched title with 1.3 billion hours, while Fortnite demonstrated the broadest creator appeal, engaging 2.8 million unique streaming channels. The performance of mid-tier and newly released titles illustrates a diverse landscape where evergreen sandbox games compete with high-impact narrative launches. While established hits like Stardew Valley maintained steady viewership, 2023 releases such as Alan Wake II and Armored Core VI achieved high average viewership densities, signaling strong concentrated interest during their launch windows. Even at the lower end of the top 500 rankings, titles like PICO PARK maintained substantial footprints, recording nearly 1.8 million hours watched. This indicates a deep tail of engagement where hundreds of games sustain millions of hours of annual viewership. Methodologically, these findings focus exclusively on digital video game software, omitting non-gaming categories such as "Just Chatting" and tabletop games to provide a precise view of the interactive entertainment market. The data accounts for active engagement by excluding streams with zero concurrent viewers, a factor that impacts total hours watched by less than 1%. Ultimately, the 2023 streaming data confirms that while a small number of blockbuster titles dominate the majority of audience attention, the ecosystem remains robust enough to support hundreds of titles with significant, multi-million-hour viewership totals.

From the report

The Games We Watched: Lurkit’s Top 500 Stream Report 2023 was a paradoxical year in gaming. Many game developers were struggling and we saw both project drops and waves of layoffs, which has been devastating to the industry and those affected. But on the other side of the coin, over 14,000 titles were released on Steam and 2023 can be counted as a record year for the interest in games based on recent Twitch streaming data that Lurkit has compiled. Lurkit is an influencer marketing platform company. By monitoring 170,000 games and 12 million live channels, Lurkit is empowering the industry to understand who is talking about a specific game or genre and to market games to the gaming audience through content creators. Since we are in daily conversations with publishers and studios as well as the creator community, Lurkit is in a pole position to dig into the current state of the streaming market. Lurkit is now releasing The Games We Watched: Lurkit’s Top 500 Global Stream Report, a comprehensive view on what games are watched by gamers all around the world on Twitch. The first edition covers the 500 most popular games for 2023. In total, this report covers 500 titles — representing only 0.29% of all games that Lurkit is tracking — and nearly 15 billion hours viewed by gamers between January 1 - December 31 2023. The Games We Watched: Lurkit’s Top 500 Global Stream Report covers the full year of 2023 and you’ll find key findings such as. • The most watched game was Grand Theft Auto V with over 1.3 billion hours watched. Amazing feat for a game released in 2013. • Fortnite was the game that by far was streamed by most unique channels, 2.8 million of them — 132% more than the second title on the list, VALORANT. • Fortnite and VALORANT also battled for the crown for the game that was streamed the most hours. The latter came out victorious with a mere 1.4% higher volume. • 50% of the viewership (7.5 billion hours) on the Top 500 list was claimed by 11 titles. Some of 2023’s most anticipated games were released on Lurkit and made the top list as well as a few titles with longer runways. Most notably Starfield, Dead Island 2, Ready or Not, Albion Online, Lords of the Fallen, Payday 3, Warhammer 40k: Darktide, Remnant 2, The Finals and Hunt: Showdown. Enjoy exploring the list!

lurkit.gg When reading the report, it’s important to remember: This showcases only a fraction of the amount of data available on Lurkit. The data set is meant to provide a deeper knowledge of the streaming scene on Twitch. The report is not declaring streams with zero concurrent viewers. The difference it makes on the ‘Hours watched KPI’ is less than 1%. We have cleaned up the data set to only include video game titles. Categories such as ‘Just chatting’ and others are not included as well as table top games. Comparable historical data is discretionary available on request - exclusively to journalists. Contact us a [email protected] THE GAMES WE WATCHED: LURKIT'S TOP 500 STREAM REPORT THE GAMES, THE COMPANIES, THE NUMBERS # Name Genres Box art Publishers Developers Platforms Hours watched Unique channels Hours streamed Avg viewers Max viewers Avg streams Max streams BoxartURL 1 Grand Theft Auto V Arcade, Adventure, Comedy, Simulation, Action, RPG, Sandbox, Fantasy, Open World, Sports, Shooter, Racing Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 1 324 613 311 821 339 18 308 199 151 212 522 237 2 090 3 596 https://images.igdb 2 League of Legends RPG, Strategy, MOBA, Fantasy, Action Riot Games, GOA Games Services Ltd., Tencent Holdings Riot Games PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac 1 312 484 240 725 141 20 193 214 149 827 2 543 805 2 305 4 395 https://images.igdb 3 VALORANT Action, Sci-fi, Shooter, Tactical, Fantasy Riot Games Riot Games PC (Microsoft Windows) 978 149 244 1 214 980 31 178 663 111 661 1 160 948 3 559 6 412 https://images.igdb 4 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive War, Shooter, Tactical, Action Valve Hidden Path Entertainment, Valve Linux, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac 681 628 459 607 981 8 449 566 77 811 1 050 727 965 2 926 https://images.igdb 5 Fortnite Action, Strategy, Adventure, Comedy, Simulation, Sports, Tactical, Racing, Party Game, Music, Survival, RPG, Sandbox, Shooter, Open World Epic Games Epic Games Android, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4 591 225 964 2 828 771 31 617 552 67 492 2 652 431 3 609 25 929 https://images.igdb 6 Minecraft Sci-fi, Simulation, Open World, Fighting, Fantasy, Sandbox, Thriller, 4X, Horror, Survival, Action, Strategy, Adventure, Arcade, Shooter, Racing, RTS, Puzzle, RPG, Indie, Platformer Smealum, Mojang Studios Smealum, Mojang Studios Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo 3DS 574 507 435 1 180 239 13 149 474 65 583 1 649 350 1 501 2 500 https://images.igdb 7 Dota 2 Fantasy, MOBA, Simulation, Indie, War, Turn-Based, Card Game, Action, Strategy Valve Valve Mac, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) 547 421 995 200 387 5 822 661 62 491 1 071 076 665 1 293 https://images.igdb 8 World of Warcraft Open World, Fantasy, Sandbox, RPG, War, Adventure, Action, Strategy Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment PC (Microsoft Windows),

tegy Valve Valve Mac, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) 547 421 995 200 387 5 822 661 62 491 1 071 076 665 1 293 https://images.igdb 8 World of Warcraft Open World, Fantasy, Sandbox, RPG, War, Adventure, Action, Strategy Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac 432 874 074 190 233 8 138 730 49 415 578 043 929 4 349 https://images.igdb 9 Apex Legends Shooter, Sci-fi, Adventure, Action Electronic Arts Respawn Entertainment Nintendo Switch,Xbox Series X|S,PlayStation 4,Xbox One, PlayStation 5,PC (Microsoft Windows) 389 207 611 851 067 19 572 036 44 430 444 907 2 234 5 058 https://images.igdb 10 Escape From Tarkov Sandbox, RPG, Shooter, War, Tactical, Survival, Action, Simulation Battlestate Games Battlestate Games PC (Microsoft Windows) 324 494 012 131 895 5 960 816 37 043 536 690 680 3 711 https://images.igdb 11 Call of Duty: Warzone Action, Shooter, War, Tactical Activision Infinity Ward PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One 294 772 350 527 226 10 415 528 33 650 291 162 1 189 4 237 https://images.igdb 12 Teamfight Tactics Tactical, Card Game, Strategy, Fantasy, Turn-Based Riot Games Riot Games PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, Android 256 432 909 154 814 2 483 283 29 273 135 611 283 1 056 https://images.igdb 13 Diablo IV RPG, Action, Fantasy, Hack and Slash, Horror Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 245 711 475 247 590 4 448 482 28 684 923 472 519 13 545 https://images.igdb 14 Overwatch 2 Shooter, Sci-fi, Action, Strategy Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S 231 104 671 617 265 10 064 763 26 382 237 947 1 149 2 839 https://images.igdb 15 Rust RPG, Action, Indie, Survival, Adventure, Shooter Facepunch Studios, Double Eleven Facepunch Studios PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, Linux, PlayStation 4 214 305 966 140 848 2 566 463 24 464 573 109 293 828 https://images.igdb 16 Dead by Daylight Action, Strategy, Horror, Survival, Stealth, Thriller Starbreeze Publishing, Behaviour Interactive Behaviour Interactive Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows) 201 009 842 400 025 11 488 891 22 946 102 042 1 312 3 058 https://images.igdb 17 FIFA 23 Simulation, Sports EA Sports EA Vancouver PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Google Stadia, Xbox Series X|S 176 959 733 425 145 3 258 993 20 201 476 572 372 2 034 https://images.igdb 18 Hearthstone Turn-Based, Fantasy, Puzzle, Tactical, Strategy, Card Game Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS 145 077 761 44 365 979 756 16 561 58 034 112 322 https://images.igdb 19 EA Sports FC 24 Simulation, Sports Electronic Arts EA Romania, EA Canada PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo

ent Blizzard Entertainment PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS 145 077 761 44 365 979 756 16 561 58 034 112 322 https://images.igdb 19 EA Sports FC 24 Simulation, Sports Electronic Arts EA Romania, EA Canada PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S 137 766 107 211 096 1 705 824 38 267 376 920 474 3 235 https://images.igdb 20 LOST ARK Adventure, Hack and Slash, Action, Fantasy, RPG Amazon Game Studios, GameOn, My.com, Smilegate RPG Tripod Studio PC (Microsoft Windows) 126 548 883 35 714 2 150 670 14 446 182 522 246 686 https://images.igdb 21 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege War, Action, Strategy, Tactical, Shooter Ubisoft Entertainment Ubisoft Montreal PlayStation 5, Google Stadia, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One 124 719 921 589 517 5 213 719 14 237 214 218 595 1 484 https://images.igdb 22 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Shooter, War, Action Activision Infinity Ward PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S 122 898 613 1 002 501 12 456 219 14 030 337 819 1 422 5 239 https://images.igdb 23 Genshin Impact Adventure, RPG, Open World, Fantasy, Action Cognosphere, miHoYo, HoYoverse Cognosphere, miHoYo, HoYoverse PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Android 115 853 541 298 485 7 152 368 13 225 345 498 816 5 718 https://images.igdb 24 Street Fighter 6 Action, Fighting, Fantasy, Arcade, Adventure Capcom Capcom PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S 112 100 148 78 448 1 238 389 15 761 325 012 174 2 161 https://images.igdb 25 Rocket League Action, Indie, Party Game, Party, Sci-fi, Racing, Sports Psyonix Psyonix Xbox One, Linux, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S 104 944 441 610 237 4 895 489 11 980 400 690 559 949 https://images.igdb 26 World of Tanks Shooter, Arcade, Simulation, Action, Strategy, Tactical, War, Historical Wargaming.net Wargaming Minsk Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows) 98 787 843 46 092 1 303 633 11 277 75 173 149 356 https://images.igdb 27 Path of Exile RPG, Action, Indie, Adventure, Horror, Fantasy, Hack and Slash Grinding Gear Games Grinding Gear Games PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac 97 427 928 38 398 1 382 384 11 122 440 603 158 2 152 https://images.igdb 28 PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS Action, Indie, Adventure, War, Shooter, Open World, Survival Microsoft Studios, Bluehole Studio PUBG Corp Google Stadia, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows) 97 372 107 156 717 3 537 267 11 116 181 639 404 708 https://images.igdb 29 Hogwarts Legacy Open World, RPG, Fantasy, Action, Adventure Portkey Games Avalanche Software Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows) 84 928 125 353 420 3 349 927 9 842 1 226 947 388 16 904 https://images.igdb 30 Destiny 2 Fantasy, Shooter, Open World, RPG, War, Survival, Sci-fi, Comedy, Action, Arcade, Adventure,

he Software Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows) 84 928 125 353 420 3 349 927 9 842 1 226 947 388 16 904 https://images.igdb 30 Destiny 2 Fantasy, Shooter, Open World, RPG, War, Survival, Sci-fi, Comedy, Action, Arcade, Adventure, Tactical Activision Bungie Google Stadia, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 81 483 236 206 048 4 206 019 9 302 517 870 480 9 218 https://images.igdb 31 Elden Ring RPG, Open World, Action, Fantasy, Adventure Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware FromSoftware Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 74 856 038 223 879 2 553 964 8 545 124 251 292 753 https://images.igdb 32 Albion Online Fantasy, Sandbox, RPG Sandbox Interactive Sandbox Interactive Linux, Android, iOS, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac 72 949 498 22 009 899 205 8 328 26 589 103 238 https://images.igdb 33 Old School RuneScape Sandbox, Fantasy, Adventure, Open World, RPG Jagex Jagex PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, Android 72 802 182 29 380 1 170 665 8 311 54 994 134 585 https://images.igdb

lurkit.gg When reading the report, it’s important to remember: This showcases only a fraction of the amount of data available on Lurkit. The data set is meant to provide a deeper knowledge of the streaming scene on Twitch. The report is not declaring streams with zero concurrent viewers. The difference it makes on the ‘Hours watched KPI’ is less than 1%. We have cleaned up the data set to only include video game titles. Categories such as ‘Just chatting’ and others are not included as well as table top games. Comparable historical data is discretionary available on request - exclusively to journalists. Contact us a [email protected] THE GAMES WE WATCHED: LURKIT'S TOP 500 STREAM REPORT THE GAMES, THE COMPANIES, THE NUMBERS # Name Genres Box art Publishers Developers Platforms Hours watched Unique channels Hours streamed Avg viewers Max viewers Avg streams Max streams BoxartURL 34 Black Desert Online Historical, Hack and Slash, Sandbox, Fantasy, Open World, Adventure, Simulation, Action, Strategy, RPG Pearl Abyss, Kakao, GameNet, Kakao Games, GameOn Co., Ltd., Plaion Pearl Abyss PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Microsoft Windows) 71 643 695 34 195 1 503 070 8 179 67 951 172 384 https://images.igdb 35 Dark and Darker Stealth, Adventure, Action, RPG, Shooter, Tactical IRONMACE IRONMACE PC (Microsoft Windows) 71 399 657 49 564 909 937 8 255 272 573 105 2 594 https://images.igdb 36 Chess Simulation, Card Game, Strategy, Indie, Action, Trivia, Sports, Turn- Based Acornsoft Limited, Apple, Agetec, PADIS, Sabec, Psion Anthony Adam, Tommo Inc, Microsoft, Acornsoft Limited, Apple, BS Comp PlayStation 4, PlayStation, ZX Spectrum, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), BBC Microcomputer System, Acorn Electron 70 572 094 47 567 554 689 8 056 168 619 63 152 https://images.igdb 37 Baldur's Gate 3 Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Strategy, RPG, Turn-Based, Tactical Larian Studios Larian Studios PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia 70 372 306 148 924 2 402 752 8 101 479 274 277 3 838 https://images.igdb 38 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Action, War, Shooter Activision Sledgehammer Games Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows) 67 301 143 235 044 2 821 779 21 062 442 240 883 10 975 https://images.igdb 39 DayZ Sandbox, RPG, Tactical, Adventure, Action, Indie, Simulation, Open World, Shooter, Horror, Survival Bohemia Interactive Studio Bohemia Interactive Studio PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One 66 250 804 97 943 1 725 447 7 563 83 183 197 350 https://images.igdb 40 Resident Evil 4 Horror, Shooter, Arcade, Survival, Puzzle, Action, Mystery, Adventure Capcom Capcom Production Studio 4 Nintendo GameCube 63 767 354 202 344 2 100 306 7 279 369 473 240 7 611 https://images.igdb 41 Honkai: Star Rail Adventure, Fantasy, Action, RPG, Sci-fi, Turn-Based miHoYo, Cognosphere, HoYoverse HoYoverse, miHoYo iOS, Android, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows) 59 140 555 206 279 3 050 510 7 691 273 304 397 11 452 https://images.igdb 42 ARK: Survival Evolved

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