LOS ANGELES—The rise of online audiences watching video gamers stream themselves playing isn’t simply a new form of entertainment seen by millions. It’s also driving video game sales, as well as drawing the attention of federal regulators.
A study released Wednesday by live streaming company Twitch attributed 25 percent of newly released game sales to those games being played on Twitch. The study found that viewers were more likely to buy a game within 24 hours of watching a stream of the game in action.
“There’s a clear relationship between viewing and purchasing behavior,” said Twitch data scientist Danny Hernandez, who studied users who connected their Twitch account to online game retailer Steam for increased social interaction.
A spectator watches players trying out the PlayStation "Gravity Rush 2" video game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on June 15. AP Photo/Nick Ut, File
