Top 10 Best Games for Streamers in 2025

As we approach 2025, streamers know how crucial it is to stay ahead of the curve and tap into the latest trends. Over the past year, 2024 has seen some incredible performances in the streaming world, with certain games dominating viewership charts and creating massive opportunities for content creators. Whether you’re drawn to the intense tactical gameplay of VALORANT, the endless creativity of Minecraft, or the open-world possibilities of GTA V, these titles have proven their staying power and popularity.

If you’re planning your streaming strategy for 2025, starting with games that performed exceptionally well in 2024 could give you the edge to grow your community. Based on average monthly viewership data from SullyGnome.com, we’ve identified top-performing games that are likely to remain popular. From enduring classics to titles with strong updates, choosing the right game can make a big difference for your channel.

Looking to stream games with the biggest viewership potential next year? We’ve computed the monthly average foRead on to find out which of these top picks could set you up for success in 2025!

1. Grand Theft Auto V

Why Stream It?

• Role-Playing (RP) Community: GTA V’s RP servers are a major draw, offering endless storylines, character development, and player interactions that keep viewers entertained. There’s an unspoken rule to not break character when role-playing which allows players to immerse themselves as much as possible when playing as a character they’ve made.
• Versatile Content: Streamers can switch between in-game quests and action, creative role-playing, casual exploration, and, most surprisingly, modded obstacle course speed runs, making streams appealing to a broad audience.
• Modding Community: A vast array of mods enhances gameplay and allows streamers to customize their experience, providing unique and varied content. Mods can range from aesthetics to gameplay functionality, as mods always do.
• Regular Updates: Rockstar Games continues to update GTA Online with new content, ensuring there’s always something new to explore and stream and with GTA VI on the horizon, there’s constant buzz about the game as people wait for the newest release.

2. League of Legends

Why Stream It?

• Strategic Depth: League of Legends offers unparalleled strategic complexity with over 160 champions, each with unique abilities, which interact with the game’s intricate itemization and team compositions. Mastering macro play, like wave management and vision control, can significantly influence the game’s outcome, making it a goldmine for in-depth analysis and commentary.  
• Esports Dominance: With its globally recognized esports scene, including the annual World Championship, LoL is synonymous with competitive gaming. The meta shifts before and during tournaments, making pre-game analysis and live breakdowns invaluable for viewers. Riot Games’ production quality, including live musical performances and cutting-edge AR presentations, adds to the event’s grandeur.  
• Community Interaction: The massive player base, active on platforms like Reddit and Discord, generates endless discussions on champion balance, patch notes, and emerging strategies. Regular updates and new champion releases fuel these discussions, giving streamers constant content fodder.  
• High Skill Ceiling: The game’s high skill cap, especially in mechanics like kiting, animation canceling, and precise cooldown tracking, creates opportunities for streamers to showcase their expertise. High Elo players and pros can dissect their gameplay live, offering viewers educational content that’s both entertaining and informative.  

3. VALORANT

Why Stream It?

• Competitive Gameplay: VALORANT’s tactical, team-based gameplay is perfect for showcasing strategic thinking and skillful execution. Matches are intense and require precise coordination, which makes for exciting viewing. Matches last around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the rounds you play, the first team to win 13 rounds uncontested wins the game—this means not triggering overtime where both teams have won 12 rounds so far.
• Frequent Updates: The game is regularly updated with new agents, maps, and game modes, keeping the content fresh and engaging for both players and viewers. Speaking of which, be on the lookout for the new agent likely coming out in Episode 9 or Episode 10!
• Rising Esports Scene: VALORANT has a thriving esports scene with numerous tournaments and events, providing ample opportunities for streamers to cover and discuss competitive play. Make sure to tune in to the 2024 Valorant Champions being held in Korea, running from August 1 to 25, 2024.
• Community Engagement: The active VALORANT community on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and Discord provides a rich source of content ideas and collaboration opportunities. You also won’t run out on plenty of relatable memes.

4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Why Stream It?

• Classic FPS Action: CS:GO remains a gold standard for tactical shooters, with its one-shot headshot mechanics and economy management, making each round a critical moment of strategy and skill. The game’s reliance on precise aim, positioning, and timing allows streamers to showcase high-level play that’s both skillful and intense.  
• Competitive Scene: As one of the oldest and most respected esports titles, CS:GO’s tournaments like ESL One and the Intel Extreme Masters draw massive crowds. Streamers can tap into this scene by analyzing matchups, player form, and meta shifts, providing viewers with expert insights.  
• High Stakes: Every match in CS:GO is a high-stakes affair, where a single mistake can swing the outcome. The tense 1vX clutch situations, eco rounds, and perfectly timed flashbangs create a spectacle that’s both exhilarating and nerve-wracking for viewers. Unlike its newest competition, Valorant, CS:GO focuses heavily on precise gunplay, this is highlighted by the difference in technical aspects of the two games such as the hitbox size difference, for example.

5. Fortnite

Why Stream It?

• Dynamic Gameplay:  Many games claim they bring dynamic gameplay to the table but really, Fortnite’s gameplay is constantly evolving, with each season bringing new weapons, mechanics, and map changes that keep both players and viewers on their toes. The building mechanics add a layer of complexity, allowing streamers to demonstrate impressive construction speed and tactical creativity during firefights.  
• Creative Mode: Fortnite’s Creative Mode offers endless possibilities, from parkour challenges to elaborate mini-games, which streamers can use to engage their audience in unique ways. Streamers often host custom games, inviting viewers to participate, creating interactive and community-driven content.  
• Broad Appeal: With its cartoony graphics and approachable gameplay, Fortnite appeals to a wide demographic, from young gamers to seasoned veterans. This broad audience base means streamers can attract viewers from various age groups and gaming backgrounds, ensuring consistent viewer engagement.  
• Interactive Events: Fortnite is known for its in-game events, like live concerts featuring artists like Travis Scott or the dramatic, world-changing events like the black hole that swallowed the original map. These events are not just spectacles but shared experiences that generate massive viewer spikes and community discussion.  

6. DOTA 2

Why Stream It?

• Strategic Gameplay: Dota 2’s complexity lies in its vast hero pool, intricate item system, and the myriad interactions between abilities, which can lead to surprising and game-changing plays. Streamers can dive into the details of drafting strategies, laning phases, and teamfight execution, providing viewers with high-level analytical content.  
• Esports Scene: Dota 2’s esports scene, particularly The International, is known for its massive prize pools and dramatic storylines. Streamers can cover the event’s hype, analyze games, and even participate in viewer predictions, making their streams a go-to destination during the tournament season.  
• An Enduring Community: The Dota 2 community has always been passionate, sometimes a bit too passionate, and knowledgeable. As one of the oldest MOBA games, the community often engages in deep discussions about hero balance, patch impacts, and pro play. Streamers who can tap into this community by offering detailed hero guides, patch analysis, and live commentary can build a dedicated viewer base.  
• Regular Updates: Valve regularly updates Dota 2 with new patches that shake up the meta, keeping the game fresh and exciting. Streamers can capitalize on these changes by exploring new strategies, showcasing how different heroes perform in the updated environment, and predicting future trends.  

7. Minecraft

Why Stream It? 

• Endless Creativity: Minecraft is a sandbox game where the only limit is your imagination. Streamers can showcase massive build projects, Redstone engineering, or custom adventure maps, providing content that ranges from educational to awe-inspiring.  
• Survival Challenges: The survival mode in Minecraft offers an ongoing narrative where streamers can set personal goals, like defeating the Ender Dragon or surviving in hardcore mode. These challenges create a sense of progression that keeps viewers invested in the streamer’s journey.  
• Community Engagement: Minecraft’s multiplayer servers and realms allow for interactive content where viewers can join the streamer in building, exploring, or competing. Streamers can host community events, build competitions, or adventure together with their audience, fostering a strong sense of community.  
• Educational and Entertaining: Believe it or not, beyond entertainment, Minecraft has a bit of an educational value, especially in teaching concepts like architecture, programming (with command blocks), and problem-solving. Streamers who focus on these aspects can attract a diverse audience, including involved parents, alongside regular gamers.  

8. Call of Duty: Warzone

Why Stream It?

• Classic Battle Royale: Warzone’s battle royale format, with its fast-paced gunfights and large-scale battles, creates a high-stakes environment perfect for streaming. The game’s Gulag system adds a unique twist, giving players a second chance and adding suspense to every match.  
• Team Play: Warzone’s team-based modes allow for tactical gameplay where streamers can showcase coordination and communication with their squad. Viewers enjoy watching skilled teams execute strategies, from flanking maneuvers to coordinated airstrikes, in real-time.  
• Frequent Updates: Warzone receives regular updates, introducing new weapons, operators, and limited-time modes that keep the gameplay fresh. Streamers can highlight these updates, provide their take on the new content, and offer tips on how to adapt to the changes, keeping their streams relevant and informative.  
• Spectator-Friendly: Warzone’s clear and engaging gameplay makes it easy for viewers to follow, even if they’re not familiar with the intricacies of the genre. The thrill of the last circle, where teams vie for victory, is universally exciting, making it a hit among a broad audience.  

9. Apex Legends

Why Stream It?  

• Diverse Characters and Skills: Each Legend in Apex Legends has distinct abilities that can turn the tide of battle, allowing streamers to showcase different playstyles, from aggressive pushes with Octane to strategic plays with Caustic’s traps. This variety keeps the gameplay dynamic and the audience engaged.  
• Complex Game Movement Apex’s fast-paced gunplay, combined with the mobility offered by mechanics like sliding and ziplining, makes for high-energy streams. Viewers are drawn to the adrenaline-pumping action, whether it’s a last-second revive or a clutch 1v3 scenario.  
• Strong Community: Apex Legends has a thriving community that’s highly engaged with the game’s evolving meta, lore, and events. Streamers can dive into discussions about the best weapon loadouts, the latest buffs and nerfs, or the backstories of the Legends, connecting with a passionate audience.  
• Esports Potential: Apex Legends’ competitive scene is growing, with events like the ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series) providing opportunities for streamers to analyze pro-level play, offer predictions, or even participate in the action. The game’s emphasis on team synergy and strategic positioning makes it a fascinating esport to watch and stream.  

10. Rust

Why Stream It?

• Realistic Survival Gameplay: Rust offers a brutal and unforgiving survival experience where players must manage hunger, health, and environmental threats while also dealing with hostile players. The unpredictable nature of player interactions—ranging from betrayals to forming alliances—creates compelling narrative-driven content for streams.  
• Community Servers: Rust’s community servers often feature custom rulesets, mods, and even role-playing elements, making each server a unique experience. Popular streamers often host their own servers, attracting viewers who are interested in the specific dynamics and drama that unfold.  
• Content Variety: The gameplay in Rust is incredibly varied, from gathering resources and building bases to engaging in large-scale raids. Streamers can focus on different aspects of the game, such as creating intricate trap bases, exploring the tech tree, or dominating in PvP combat, providing diverse content that caters to different viewer interests.  
• Collaborative Play: Rust encourages collaboration, often resulting in streamer alliances or conflicts that draw in large audiences. The social dynamics of these collaborations, combined with the tension of potential betrayals, create a compelling viewing experience that keeps audiences hooked.  

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