Keyboards click as a battle rages behind a screen. Right after a fateful win, the person adjusts their headset before looking into the chat on the side. The viewer count is climbing, but they are just happy to be doing what they love, building connections while having fun. 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic there have been more and more people streaming on Twitch. Twitch is arguably the most popular streaming platform with over 8 million people streaming and more people watching. 

Even MCHS students have found themselves a place in the streaming community. With the popularity of Twitch streaming being on a steady rise over the past few years, many students have found Twitch streaming to be a good way to meet others with similar interests in gaming. Though, gaming isn’t the only thing that streamers use Twitch for. 

Junior, Henry Cichon, states his favorite part about streaming, “The fact that I get to meet new people and the fact that it’s like a community.” Building connections with other streamers and with the viewers become an important part of streaming on Twitch. 

Some people began to stream during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it be on Twitch or other platforms. While people were in quarantine, they found new hobbies within the streaming community.

Ethan Ingalz, a sophomore at MCHS Upper Campus states why he started streaming. “I started streaming because I saw many other people starting to do it, and it looked like it was the new thing to do, so I quickly hopped on board with it.” Encouragement from his friends also gave him the opportunity to begin streaming on Twitch. 

Gaining followers and popularity through Twitch or any platform can be a long and strenuous task. The process takes months, but it is overall rewarding for the streamer as they have people to interact and connect with along the way. 

“Don’t rush the process and never beg for attention or followers,” Ingalz states. “Just take your time.”

Twitch streamers do tend to have other platforms that they are active on, these being apps like Instagram and TikTok. Using these apps as a means to build a following is an important factor that many streams can attest to. 

Senior Bee Meyers states, “Use TikTok, use other platforms, because if you don’t, you’re not going to get very far, not very fast anyways. That’s what helped me.” 

Whether their plan is to make it big or simply just make connections, the more people following them, the more fun the environment on their channels can be. Though, this is all a testament to the amount of time and effort that is put in by not just students at MCHS, but millions of others who also enjoy streaming. 

Hands are rested back on their keyboard as the next round starts. WIth a smile they are plunged back into their game, but they are still conscious of their chat. The way they all crack up at jokes, and firing jokes right back. The sense of community on their channel is inevitable.