The objective of streamer modes is to make life easier for streamers and turn a game into an entertainer’s tool. Most games aren’t made with streaming in mind, and streamer modes are their way to adapt. There are two kinds of streamer modes in video games: the first aims to protect the streamer during play, mutinglicensed music, or hiding personal data; the second enables unique mechanics that enhance the audience’s interactions with the game.
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Twitch integration is a form of streamer mode that uses the Twitch website to alter the game. They often rely on chat messages, voting, and donations to trigger in-game effects, turning the audience into active participants. Streamer modes and even Twitch integration aren’t just for content creators, as even an audience of one can benefit from the enhanced interactions.
10I Just Want To Be Single!!
Anti-dating simI Just Want to Be Single!!is a great example of how simple a great streamer mode can be. This mode lets streamers place themselves in the art box where thegame avatarwould usually be, turning them into the real protagonists of the game.
The streamer mode inI Just Want to Be Single!!can be activated through the main menu through the dedicated window. This includes many different options for placing the frame right around the streamer’s camera feed or avatar. The menu is also designed to keep viewers entertained during the process, though the specifics are better left as a surprise.
9Marbles On Steam
Marbles on Steamis an extremely simple game where players make a marble and see it roll down a track, hoping it will be the first to reach the goal. There isn’t much to do inMarbles on Steambesides hoping, but that’s exactly what streamers need sometimes.
The streamer mode inMarbles on Steamis as simple as they come. Since there isn’t really anything to do during the race, each viewer can participate with a marble of their own. One issue many streamers have with the game is the price:Marblesis free, but creating and unlocking custom tracks is quite expensive, and so are most cosmetic items.
8Words On Stream
Words on Streamis a puzzle game about finding anagrams among scrambled letters before time runs out. The twist is that the viewers can play too, proposing words directly into the Twitch chat. The game even tracks and showcases the best players during each round and promotes cooperation with group challenges.
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Words on Streamis the work of prolific streamer games developer Onrizon. ButWords on Streamis a greatparty gamefor group gatherings, too. The game is just the same, as every player contributes equally to finding new anagrams, without the need for someone to put their face on camera.
7Streets Of Rogue
Roguelite/Action/RPG/Immersive SimhybridStreets of Roguehas been a popular choice for streamers for a few years. With its plug-and-play sensibilities and an incredible amount of content,Streets of Roguecould single-handedly sustain a whole streamer’s output for months.
Streamer integration inStreets of Roguecomes in the way of audience-chosen power-ups and modifiers. The chat can also vote on which items the streamer will find in the next level and which additional difficulties they will encounter, from hidden bombs to a zombie invasion.
6Party Hard 2
Party pooper simulator/murder machineParty Hard 2isn’t a staple of most streamers’ game rotations, but perhaps it should be. The gameplay loop is simple enough: the protagonist enters a party with a list of objectives, destroying everything in his way.
The Twitch integration inParty Hard 2is at the core of the game. Viewers can set up additional objectives and control NPCs. They collect points by making the game harder for the streamer and spend those points to make things easier. Those points stick between games and even across different streamers.
5Emote Search
From streamer games developer Onrizon comesEmote Search. Although intended as a sequel of sorts to the much more famousWords on Stream, the two are very different beasts. The game is a twist on classic Word Search puzzles, using emotes instead of letters.
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Compared to other dedicated streamer games,Emote Searchis certainly more complex, but not by much. Players have to compare a series of emote patterns with those on a grid until they find a pattern. To guess a pattern, viewers have to write the correct coordinates directly in the chat and are rewarded for each pattern found.
4Jackbox Party Packs
TheJackbox Party Packsare collections of party games and, more recently, streaming games. Most of the games are meant to beplayed with a group of people, but some have dedicated streamer modes that allow just one streamer and their audience to play.
Jackbox Party Pack 3is probably the best of the bunch for streamers. It includes witty words makerQuiplash 2, the horror trivia gameTrivia Murder Party, and fan-favorite crass shirt makerTee K.O.All those games have robust streamer modes that let viewers into the fun, but some do require multiple active participants.
3Among Us
Among Usneeds no introduction. It’s the biggest indie game of the last decade, one of the most popular mobile games ever, and is extremely popular among streamers. Yet not many know that since April 2022Among Ushas its own streamer mode.
The streamer mode forAmong Usis extremely simple but essential: it hides the code to the streamer’s game. The code itself can still be shared by copying and pasting. This avoids the issue of viewers entering the streamer’s game uninvited.
2Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Warhammer: Vermintide 2is a 4-player co-op survival action game in the vein ofLeft 4 Dead. UnlikeLeft 4 Dead, the game is still being updated and has an active and dedicated community.
While the streamer mode forWarhammer: Vermintide 2doesn’t remove the need for 3 friends to play the game with, it can make viewers feel more involved. This mode lets the streamer’s chat influence the next level, spawning monsters or gifting items. The chat always chooses one of two options, so as to not overwhelm new viewers.
Dead Cellsis an award-winning roguelike that became quite popular with streamers. While the powerful Twitch Integration certainly played a role, the game itself is an excellent choice for streaming, thanks to its repetitive roguelike nature.
InDead Cellsviewers can, among other things, add gameplay modifiers to a level, decide what biome the next level will be in, and offer hints about nearby secrets. All this is handled through the chat, right on Twitch. Even setting up the Twitch integration is as simple as it comes.
