The gaming industry is booming. The Guardian recently reported that video games are played by 3 billion people globally and generated revenue of $200bn in 2022, with one industry figure describing the games industry as having “surpassed Hollywood” in terms of influence and marketing.
In Aotearoa, the sector brought in more than $400 million in 2022 – and was one of the winners of the recent budget, with the government investing $160 million to establish a 20% rebate for video game developers, helping to grow and protect the local game-development sector.
From Minecraft to Roblox, Animal Crossing to Fortnite, these games and more have become both forms of entertainment and places to hang out – with a growing supporting industry with popular live streaming platforms like Twitch.
In NZ almost 50% of gamers identify as women, some of whom have developed themselves as popular creators with extensive online communities who tune in to watch them play and chat – like Christchurch-based Karvey, who has 44.2k Twitch followers and growing and is now able to make it her full-time work.
Karvey, whose preferred games are Fortnight and Call of Duty: Warzone, Twitch describes it as a “unique blend of entertainment, social interaction, and creative expression”, featuring everything from video gameplay to arts and crafts projects, cooking tutorials, or travel adventures with streamers and their community. Unsurprisingly, she is online a lot (she will stream most nights), with followings across Instagram, Discord, Only Fans, YouTube and more. As part of our Screen Time series, she took a look at her digital diet.
When did you get into gaming? What are your earliest memories of that?
From my earliest memories, gaming has been a significant part of my life. Growing up with my uncle, who was not only in the army but also an avid gamer, I was exposed to the world of gaming at a young age.
It was through him that I first got my hands on a Nintendo 64, which marked the beginning of my journey into the gaming realm. His influence as a father figure in my life greatly shaped my passion for gaming.
When did you get into streaming?
I stumbled upon streaming as a hobby when I moved to Australia at the age of 19, all by myself. Working long hours as a bartender left me with limited social interactions, and my daily routine mainly consisted of playing Fortnite and going to bed. Being in a foreign country without any friends, I was feeling isolated.
One day, a colleague at work recommended Twitch, a service where people could go live and play games together, make friends, and even earn money if fortunate enough. Intrigued by the idea of making friends and playing Fortnite with others, I decided to give streaming a try, thinking, "Why not?"
Gaming is a huge business, globally and overseas – but I feel like its huge influence is not taken as seriously compared to say, Instagram or TikTok influencers. Why do you think that is?
The gaming and streaming industry has witnessed a significant surge in popularity, with the rise of esports and online tournaments offering lucrative opportunities for gamers. Alongside this, there has been a steady influx of new streamers and an increasing number of individuals joining diverse gaming and streaming platforms.
I do actually think we’re at a point where the term “gamer” is becoming redundant, yet there continues to be a misconception that gaming and streaming are not ‘mainstream’ activities.
As someone deeply immersed in the gaming community, I am well aware of the exponential expansion that has occurred within the last few years as Kiwis have turned to gaming and online spaces for entertainment, friendship and community.
There are so many ways to interact with gaming, whether that be through watching streams, chatting to communities about gameplay or just simply playing video games.
You’ve made your career as a gamer and content creator. How successful has it been for you, financially and as a career move?
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my career as a content creator and streamer here in New Zealand, and I take immense pride in the path I am carving for myself. Being able to serve as a positive role model for fellow Kiwis in the gaming and streaming community brings me immense joy.
My definition of success lies in the number of people I can bring happiness and entertainment to, regardless of what they may be going through.
I’m grateful for the financial stability that my streaming career has provided. It has allowed me to have a roof over my head, access to food, and the ability to invest in equipment and tools to enhance my stream. I am fortunate to live a comfortable life, and I am appreciative of the opportunities that have come my way through my gaming and streaming endeavours.
What is it like being a woman who games, in terms of trolling, bullying? Are there things you need to consider as a woman in the gaming industry?
Being a woman in the gaming world can be challenging, as sexism and derogatory comments are unfortunately prevalent.
Regardless of the game I play, I often encounter hate speech and offensive remarks that are solely based on my gender. It can be disheartening, but I have learned to develop a thick skin and understand that these internet trolls are not worth my time. I utilise strategies such as ignoring, muting, and reporting them, or sometimes even responding with a bit of humour if I'm feeling bold.
In all seriousness, it's important to remember that gaming is for everyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. No one should be limited or discouraged from playing any game simply because of who they are. I firmly believe that everyone has the right to pursue their gaming passions without facing discrimination or harassment. As a woman in gaming, I am determined to continue breaking barriers and standing up against any form of inequality.
What’s your approach to gaming - what games do you like best?
I'm an avid gamer, particularly in Battle Royale and online games. I thrive on the competitive nature of these games and constantly strive to improve my skills.
I've been loving Fortnite lately and have built a strong community around it, but I've also explored other games and genres, previously focusing on Call of Duty.
I find that the dynamic nature of online shooting games keeps me engaged, with always something happening or room for improvement through practice.
What’s your earliest internet memory?
One of my earliest involves Facebook. Even though I wasn't allowed to have a Facebook account as a young child, I went behind my mum's back and made one. However, my cousin snitched on me, and I ended up getting grounded, though I'm not sure why.
What was your screen time last week?
I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was significantly lower than expected, even considering the public holidays and my time off.
I attribute this to using an app called One Sec, which requires me to take deep breaths for about eight seconds before allowing me to open social media apps. This small pause in accessing the app has helped me curb my impulsive behaviour and reduce my screen time, as I tend to get bored easily and don't like waiting. It's been a helpful tool in managing my phone usage.
In terms of work screen time, it can range anywhere from 20-60 hours depending on how much I stream, play games and edit.
How many group chats are you in? What’s the name of the most active or the funniest?
I usually communicate with my Twitch community in the chat, however, I do have a Discord server that works as a centralised group chat for my community. It has various sub-chats for different topics, and I check in there a few times a day to stay updated and engaged with my Twitch community. It's a convenient way for me to connect with my followers and stay connected with them in a group setting.
Have you ever made a meme or had a proud viral moment?
One of my proudest viral moments was when my stream sniping videos (where stream viewers use intel from a livestream to interact with players in-game) on Twitch gained a lot of traction on TikTok.
I like to reach out to streamers who are growing their community and say hello, and put a smile on their face while also helping them to reach new audiences. It’s such a great way to support other streamers and I had lots of positive feedback which has helped me grow my own channels.
It was particularly meaningful and a turning point for me as I had been experimenting with different types of content, and finally found something that resonated with me and my audience.
What’s the best streaming service?
When it comes to community, Twitch is undoubtedly one of the best streaming services. I have a community that I’m really proud of and have developed some really special friendships. However, there are also some newer platforms like Kick that have gained popularity due to their revenue split model.
YouTube is also known to be a good platform for streaming, although I personally haven't tried it yet. Additionally, TikTok has been a huge help in building my community and connecting with my audience.
