The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Game Award Winners

1 September 2025

Gone are the days when gaming was just something nerds did in their parents’ basements. Today, gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry, and at the heart of its meteoric rise are streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and even Facebook Gaming. These platforms have become the lifeline of the gaming community, and their influence stretches far and wide—even to something as elusive as the prestigious game awards. Seriously, how often do you think about why certain games win over others? Spoiler alert: streaming platforms are a big part of that story. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how streaming has flipped the script for game award winners.

Gaming and Streaming: A Match Made in Digital Heaven

It’s no secret that streaming and gaming go together like peanut butter and jelly. Think about it: whether it’s watching someone crush Elden Ring or giggle their way through Untitled Goose Game, streaming platforms have given gamers a front-row seat to all the action. Games are no longer just about playing—they're about experiencing. And with millions tuning in to these experiences, the cultural and commercial weight of streaming has skyrocketed.

So, how does this tie into game awards? Well, popularity plays a huge role in the awards landscape. If your game has a massive following on Twitch or YouTube, chances are it’s already caught the eyes (and hearts) of voters. At the same time, streaming platforms have changed how gamers evaluate games. It's not just about how the game plays; it's about how it performs in front of an audience.

Shaping the Hype Machine

Games don’t win awards in a vacuum. They need buzz. They need hype. You know, the kind of noise that makes even non-gamers go, “Wait, what’s that game everyone’s talking about?” Streaming platforms are the ultimate hype machines.

Take Among Us. Before streamers jumped on it, the game had been chilling in obscurity for two years. But then some big-name streamers gave it a shot, and boom—it became a viral phenomenon. Suddenly, it was getting nominated for awards left and right. It even bagged the Best Multiplayer and Best Mobile Game awards at The Game Awards in 2020. That’s the power of streaming: it turns hidden gems into cultural icons.

Authenticity and Accessibility: The Streamer Effect

Here’s another important point: streamers bring a unique level of authenticity to the table. They’re not polished marketing campaigns or flashy trailers—they’re real people sharing real opinions. When a streamer loves a game, their audience feels that passion. And let’s be honest, we trust streamers more than we trust ads, right?

For indie games, this is game-changing (pun intended). AAA games often boast massive marketing budgets, but indie games thrive on word of mouth—and nothing spreads word of mouth faster than a trending Twitch clip. For example, Hades, an indie darling from Supergiant Games, became a streaming juggernaut in 2020. Streamers loved its roguelike gameplay and breathtaking art style, and their enthusiasm helped Hades snag multiple awards, including Best Indie Game and even a nod for Game of the Year.

And let’s not forget accessibility. Tons of gamers can’t afford to buy every new release, but they can still experience games through streams. This exposure allows games to reach broader audiences, further boosting their award potential.

Interactivity: The Secret Sauce

Streaming platforms also give viewers something traditional advertisements can’t: interactivity. Ever hopped into a Twitch chat during a live stream? It’s like a digital party where everyone’s shouting over each other about how epic (or terrible) a game is. That real-time engagement creates a deeper connection between the game, the player, and the audience.

Platforms like Twitch even take it a step further with features like Twitch Plays, where viewers actually control the game. Remember when Twitch Plays Pokémon took the internet by storm? That kind of chaotic, community-driven experience turns a game into an event. And guess what? Events stick in people’s minds when it’s time to vote for awards.

The Downside: Overhyping and Fizzling Out

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The impact of streaming platforms isn’t always positive. Sometimes a game gets too much hype too quickly, only to fizzle out before award season even rolls around. This phenomenon is often referred to as “overhype syndrome,” and it’s the gaming equivalent of a one-hit wonder.

Take Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. It dominated streaming platforms when it launched in 2020, but its popularity dipped just as fast as it rose. While it did win Best Community Support at The Game Awards, many felt its chances at bigger accolades had been torpedoed by its rapid decline in attention.

Are Streaming Platforms Redefining What "Good" Means?

Here’s a twist for you: streaming platforms might be redefining what makes a game “award-worthy.” Traditionally, awards prioritized factors like graphics, narrative, and innovation. But now, games that are fun to watch are gaining an edge.

Games like Fortnite might not have the richest storylines, but their chaotic, unpredictable gameplay keeps streamers and audiences hooked. This raises a question: are we awarding the best games, or the most entertaining ones? It’s a bit of a philosophical pickle, but it’s worth considering.

What Does the Future Hold?

So, what’s next? Streaming platforms aren’t slowing down, that’s for sure. If anything, they’re only getting bigger. With the rise of new tools like real-time audience polls and integrated sponsorships, streamers will have even more power to shape gaming trends. That means streaming platforms will likely play an even bigger role in determining which games win awards in the future.

But will this lead to a broader appreciation of niche genres and indie titles, or will it reinforce the dominance of big-budget blockbusters? Only time will tell. Either way, one thing’s clear: the game awards landscape will never be the same.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, streaming platforms have completely rewritten the rules of the gaming world. They’ve given players a voice, boosted indie games to stardom, and turned gaming into a universal spectacle. Sure, they’ve also brought some challenges (looking at you, overhype syndrome), but there’s no denying their impact.

The next time you see a game sweeping the awards circuit, take a second to think about why. Chances are, a streamer somewhere played a part in its rise to fame. And honestly? That’s kind of awesome. Streaming has made gaming more relatable, more accessible, and more community-driven than ever before. Here’s to seeing where it takes us next.