Abstract:
Game streaming platforms have a significant impact on the development of esports as a new sphere
of the digital economy in Ukraine. They provide opportunities for players and teams to broadcast
their gaming performances in real-time, and for tournament organizers to stream gaming tournaments
and competitions. These platforms attract new talented players and teams who can progress and
compete at the international level. Consequently, the research aims to study the functions of game
streaming platforms and their impact on the development of esports as a new sphere of Ukraine's
digital economy. Within the scope of the research, it is observed that in Ukraine, the development of
esports as an endemic sphere of the digital economy is significantly influenced by game streaming
platforms. These platforms enable amateur players, professional athletes, organizers of esports
events, and other interested individuals to live stream video games over the Internet in real-time. It
has been proven that the popularity of esports is driven by access to esports competitions and
individual streams, which attract viewers' attention. It has also been demonstrated that esports
organizations hosting tournaments and competitions on platforms can attract sponsors' attention
through content creation and related opportunities. Proved, that the professional growth of esports
athletes is facilitated by the creation of content that showcases their skills and talents to a wide
audience. This helps them attract potential sponsors, gain support from fans, and enhance their
reputation within the esports community. It has been proven that the creation of inspiring content
and platforms for talent discovery and recruitment play a crucial role in attracting new talents to
esports. Streamers can serve as role models for beginners and young players, inspiring them to
pursue professional development in this field.