USA Today article sees growing online audiences for MLG and Twitch

In USA Today's online tech column: Cutting the cord, Mike Snider writes about two entertainment options for people interested in video games. It's a great, well-written article and I encourage you to head over to USA Today and check it out >> In case you'd like the Gamers On Tap version, I'll summarize for you. If you didn't already know MLG.tv and Twitch are things. from USA Today: ESports and video game community drives viewers to growing online video game destinations Not as well-known is that video games are so popular that they've become spectator sports drawing millions of viewers to online sites. Cord cutters interested in diversifying their viewing portfolio can check out two services leading the way: Twitch and MLG.tv. Each deploys a different programming strategy. MLG aims to be the ESPN of video games and eSports, as organized video competitions are called. Twitch broadcasts eSports competitions, too, but has also evolved into an all-purpose video game network with professionally created and user-generated content. This is great for people that are interested in video games. I think it speaks to the larger truth that gaming communities have their own media content whether it's entertainment, news, commentary, educational, competitive, or even life hacks. Watching a tournament on MLG.tv is great. They've been broadcasting and hosting tournaments for more than 10 years. But I'm only interested in watching a tournament if I've played the game that's being broadcast. Twitch doesn't just broadcast tournaments, there's an abundance of users that live stream ordinary gameplay. I think that offers a lot more for the audience. I've been a fan of Twitch for a few years. Compared to MLG, I personally use Twitch more often. I wouldn't have purchased Grand Theft Auto V if I hadn't watched the guys at The Streamer House on Twitch. Streamer House is a 24/7 live stream of popular games. I was curious what GTA V was going to look like, so I began watching the live stream. The next week, I bought the game. I don't think MLG and Twitch are media alternates to traditional entertainment like movies or television. I think they can be disruptors. You may be able to find the same game play on youtube videos, but twitch allows you the viewer to interact with the streamers. The same can be said for MLG.tv, and that makes these sites different. In the USA Today article, MLG is described as wanting to be the ESPN of video games. I hope that doesn't happen. I hope that whatever they end up becoming, it's better than that.

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USA Today article sees growing online audiences for MLG and Twitch is an episode from Gamers On Tap by Eric McLeroy.

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This episode was published on Feb 22, 2014.

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