The race for the 2023 Game of the Year (GOTY)
The race for the 2023 Game of the Year (GOTY) has taken a fascinating turn. Despite the tremendous success of Starfield, it has been eclipsed by Hogwarts Legacy and Baldur’s Gate in at least one core area. The gaming world has seen many impressive releases this year, and Starfield, despite its achievements, has faced significant competition. With laudable releases like The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo 4, Hogwarts Legacy, Baldur’s Gate and more, 2023 is proving to be a stellar year for gaming.
The Overlooked Aspect
In an interesting development, these other GOTY contenders overshadow Starfield in a particular area that often skips notice when evaluating the enthusiasm around game releases. According to reports, Diablo 4, Hogwarts and Baldur’s Gate exceed Starfield in this often-overlooked aspect. When Starfield launched, it was instantly adopted by some of the biggest Twitch streamers who started playing through the game.
The Viewership Numbers
Notwithstanding these high-profile playthroughs, Starfield couldn’t match the viewership numbers of four other GOTY contenders. Specifically, streams of Diablo 4 and Hogwarts Legacy dwarfed that of Starfield in terms of day one viewership with 12.7M and 12.4M hours of watch time respectively. On the other hand, Starfield managed to command a viewership of 2.4M, still a noteworthy feat as it doubled that of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
The Significance of Viewership
Even though viewership doesn’t earn awards, it provides a valuable benchmark to assess the audience's response to new games. Starfield players, fans, and followers are advised to stay tuned for further information about the game.