They've got game: How video gaming creates social networks

Ms Denise Teo started her Twitch channel in August 2020 in a bid to make new friends and play video games such as Apex Legends. PHOTO: DENISE TEO JIA QI
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE - Sitting behind a microphone in her fluorescent pink room, Ms Denise Teo waves to hundreds of invisible viewers on her computer, all gathered virtually to watch her play a video game.

Here on interactive live-streaming platform Twitch, the 24-year-old is known by her alias Supercatkei. She acknowledges almost every one of the viewers - who appear only as their usernames and an influx of emoticons or messages in the chat box - and thanks repeat subscribers

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.