According to a newly published report, statistically, you are more likely to be watching a video about games rather than playing one yourself. MIDiA Research, which analyzes numbers in various entertainment aspects, claims that gamers are spending more of their week watching gaming-related videos on YouTube and Twitch than playing games. As pointed out by GamesIndustry.biz, the report shows that gamers spend approximately 7.4 hours a week playing games but 8.5 hours a week watching game-related videos on these services. Moreover, 24 percent of console and PC players are watching gaming videos "at least monthly," and this percentage rises to 48 percent for those considered high-spending "in-game buyers."

Implications for Publishers

The report mainly focuses on the idea that publishers might be missing a chance by not integrating video content directly into their games and platforms. Currently, publishers usually stop at releasing trailers and other produced videos, as well as streaming games live for marketing purposes. However, by doing so, they are "ceding significant revenue opportunities - especially advertising - to third-party video platforms" when they could instead "bring video content inside their own ecosystems" and take advantage of the large amount of game-related video their audiences are consuming. There is "revenue left on the table" that publishers could potentially capture.

Not Applicable to Everyone

Obviously, the report's figures do not represent everyone. We are sure that many of you are playing games more often than watching them. It is an interesting thought, though. Gaming does attract a lot of attention on YouTube and Twitch, so it makes sense that the research firm suggests publishers could tap into that and host such content themselves.

Player Opinions

When asked if they enjoy watching gaming-related videos on sites like YouTube and Twitch, the results showed that 18% said they absolutely love it, 33% said they enjoy it, 16% had no strong feelings either way, 21% said they were not really into it, and 11% said they loathe it. Regarding whether they spend more time watching gaming-related videos than playing games, 7% said definitely, 12% said probably, 20% said it could go either way, 13% said not likely, and 48% said absolutely not.