Live streaming technology has been around for a while, but it’s only shot to worldwide notoriety in the mainstream over the last five years. Facebook Live brought it to the attention of the masses in 2017, but it’s social media platforms like TikTok that are really pushing it forward. Live streaming is now even a great way to market products, with eCommerce integrated into sites like TikTok.
What is the TikTok Shop?
TikTok is one of the internet’s greatest success stories, and the Chinese company jumped on the live streaming craze at the perfect time. Now, the social media sensation is valued at more than $50 billion and is growing in stature every year. Indeed, it is hugely popular in countries around the world where internet is on the rise such as India, so it is likely to keep ballooning in size.
One thing that has helped TikTok get bigger and better has been the introduction of the TikTok shop, which is an official portal where shopping is designed to be community-driven and fun. Businesses can use this to sell their items through live streams.
Live Streaming Has Benefited the Casino Industry
One of the first places to find live streaming offerings was the casino sector, where developers have always strived to bring an in-person gambling house experience to players in their own homes. The technology has helped bridge the gap between virtual and real for people who weren’t entirely convinced by digital table games before.
Nowadays, live streaming is one of the major selling points of online casinos. In growing markets where sites are desperately vying for attention, being able to offer state-of-the-art, immersive games is a huge draw. Slot machines have always been the biggest lure, and sites that can offer Indian slot machine games like Sakura Fortune and Extra Chilli Megaways can attract a lot of players in India.
Sites such as Genesis Casino now offer live games geared towards the Indian market on top of these titles, with professional live dealers for numerous classic games like blackjack and roulette. Live casino is now starting to challenge slots in terms of popularity, and it will be interesting to see how this develops in the future.
Game Developers Can Use Twitch to Help with Marketing
Twitch was another site that jumped on live streaming before it was well known, and it helped it reach the notorious status it has today. The most successful streamers have been the ones that have chosen to showcase popular games, with titles like Apex Legends, Fall Guys, and GTA all generating high viewing figures. Part of the appeal of Twitch has always been in the interaction, with viewers at home able to take part as well.
Game developers certainly appreciate the influence of Twitch, and the biggest titles often get more players because of the streaming platform. Indeed, it represents a free marketing stream when the most viewed channels play these games and make more spectators aware of them.
The live streaming craze isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, it’s only going to get bigger and better. It has evolved greatly since live casinos and Twitch first introduced it, and it could be even more immersive in the future.
