[Saka]

I stumbled upon a very interesting video showing how the number of active players was changing in the years 2012-2023. Here's the PCMR topic.



It was curious to see CS:GO bounce back and forth for years before finally taking the first place after 2021. Some games, such as PUBG suddenly explode with huge numbers, for example 3 million players, then drop out of the top list completely. Some games reappear when there's an update.

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka This is informative, it was interesting to see the changes during the pandemic time. I know Netflix is having problems currently due to changes in viewer numbers that were much higher in those years, and I would think people played more games then too.

Here, it seems that CS;GO made a strong comeback just as it started, and remained almost undisputed in the lead after that, and even after it ended, thus not sharing the same fate as Netflix did. I guess games get people closer together than series do. 😉

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch CS:GO still has a huge viewership too. I've witnessed people who are quite far from playing the game being thrilled at the opportunity of watching the finals at IEM. 😊

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka I am not much of a spectator, I'm afraid. Could never quite grasp the allure of watching someone else play, though I know many people watch streamers, not to mention many thousands of viewers that Esports events gather.

But I share this attitude towards sports events as well, the popular fascination with football eludes me completely. I prefer a spectacle with artistic elements to it, out of all Winter Olympic sports I only watch figure skating.

So it would be interesting if someone were to share why they watch the games played by someone else. I read blog accounts on the matter and studies about "mirror neurons" and the like, but personal experiences from the people you actually know are more illuminating for me.

But I digress. Good for CS;GO and may it remain popular and bring joy to people, whichever form it may take.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch I had to think a little bit about the answer. I personally don't watch the streams that much. My SO does more, but alas because of his busy workday I didn't get much out of him yet.

I generally watch the games I have some idea in. When observing someone who's a better player than me I can learn new tricks and alter my play based on that.

Starcraft II is a bit weird game for me, because I don't really play it myself, but I have odd connection to it because of being friends with several people who do. That way I do know how the game works. Watching high level matches is enjoyable - I could never achieve that level myself because it requires huge commitment and both the skill floor and ceiling in that game are nuts. I like the tension and suspense when watching the action, observing the quickly made decisions - that sometimes spiral into fatal mistakes.

Since my SO is a player (and also an observer in the Finnish community) he gets more out of watching that game. Sometimes he gets ideas for fixing his own problems. Sometimes he watches other people play to help them.

But he also watches a lot of random casual streams for no apparent reason without focusing much on looking at the screen. Perhaps it is the narration of the streamer? I don't know.