After 26 years in the gaming world, Tibia, one of the earliest MMORPGs, proves it’s staying power through a recent resurgence in player engagement. Despite its age, this venerable online game not only maintains operational servers but also continues to roll out updates, a testament to its enduring appeal and the dedication of its developers, CipSoft GmbH.
From September 24th to October 23rd, Tibia experienced a significant spike in hours watched, catapulting it up 23 places in the game rankings. This uptick wasn’t just a fluke or a nostalgia trip; it was the result of concentrated streaming activity on Twitch. What stands out is the demographic powering this surge: Portuguese-speaking creators.
During this one-month period, six out of the top ten Tibia streamers were from the Portuguese-speaking community. They didn’t just make a minor dent; they were responsible for a staggering 63% of the total hours watched for the game. This engagement illuminates the game’s lasting appeal and the power of localized online communities.
Tibia’s simple 2D graphics and top-down perspective might not be cutting-edge, but they hold a certain charm and nostalgia, offering a gaming experience that’s more about adventure and community than high-end visuals. The game thrives on player interactions, from battling monsters to completing complex quests, and clearly, these elements still resonate with gamers today, especially those in the Portuguese-speaking world.
This is the true power of niche communities that play a niche game. There might not be amazing numbers, but the consistency and the engagement is what drives quality audiences to such niches. Communities keeping alive games that have been around for 20+ years is what keeps live streaming as the essential tool nowadays for building communities.
We want to keep you updated when these spikes happen. Subscribe to our newsletter!
