Journal
CONVERGENCE-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH INTO NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES
Volume 29, Issue 2, Pages 322-341Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/13548565221114461
Keywords
Fanship; game studies; gender; live streaming; parasocial affinity
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study examined fans' motivations for watching and supporting gaming livestreams and found that the time spent watching was associated with parasocial affinity and the likelihood of sending virtual gifts or donations. Gender differences in motivations were also observed.
Gaming livestreams have seen unprecedented growth on platforms such as Twitch.tv and YouTube Live, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined fans' motivations for watching and supporting their favorite streamers. The results of an online survey showed that the time spent watching livestreams was positively associated with the degree of parasocial affinity they feel toward that streamer. Parasocial affinity strength was, in turn, a significant predictor of the likelihood of sending virtual gifts or donations to streamers. Some gender differences in motivations also emerged. Women reported being more likely to watch a particular gaming stream because of the streamer's characteristics rather than the game being played, while men were equally likely to watch because of the streamer or because of the game being played.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available