Star Metro - GameSquare's Stream Hatchet Publishes Q3 Report

Stream Hatchet, a streaming analytics and business intelligence platform and wholly-owned subsidiary of GameSquare Holdings (NASDAQ:GAME), ("GameSquare", or the "Company"), has released its Q3 2024 report, revealing significant growth trends in gaming and live-streaming viewership. This quarter, live streaming viewership is at 8.5 billion hours watched, with a 12% year-over-year increase-the highest growth since the pandemic's peak. Key players in this resurgence include platforms like Kick and YouTube Gaming, with top creators drawing audiences worldwide.

"Live streaming is at the forefront of a broader shift in how audiences engage with entertainment," said Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare. "The Stream Hatchet Q3 2024 report demonstrates that as video continues to dominate the entertainment industry and creator economy, platforms like YouTube Gaming and Kick are seizing opportunities to reshape the competitive landscape. This data underscores a trend where audience attention-and platform strategies-are diversifying, fueling innovation and growth in live streaming as a primary medium of engagement."

Key Findings of the Q3 2024 Report:

1. Overall Growth in Gaming and Esports Viewership:
   Live streaming rebounded with an 8% rise in esports hours watched, fueled by tournaments such as MPL Indonesia Season 14 and LCK Summer 2024, which generated a combined 130 million hours watched. Esports now comprises one-fifth of all live-streaming viewership, underscoring its importance in the gaming sector.

2. YouTube Gaming and Kick's Rapid Rise:
   YouTube Gaming grew its viewership to 2 billion hours, marking a year-over-year increase in market share from 17% to 23%. Kick also demonstrated exponential growth, with a 163% increase in hours watched compared to last year. This growth was bolstered by prominent streamers like xQc, who shifted much of their content to Kick.

3. Shifts in Platform Dominance:
   Twitch's market share dropped to 60%, while other platforms, especially YouTube Gaming and Kick, gained ground. Facebook Live has fallen from the top five, with newer platforms like AfreecaTV and Rumble filling the gap.

4. Spanish-Language Content and Emerging Platforms:
   Spanish content surged by 59% on Kick, making it the second most-watched language on the platform with 129 million hours. Meanwhile, new entrants like Chzzk and Rumble continue to offer alternatives, engaging unique audiences across diverse regions.

5. Top Creators of Q3 2024:

   1. The top creators are losing their stranglehold on the market, with the top 5% of streamers by hours watched dropping from 98% of the total market share in Q2 2019 to just 86% in Q2 2024, indicating a more diverse market for smaller streamers.

   2. Notable streamers such as KaiCenat and Ironmouse have set records this quarter. KaiCenat took the #1 spot with a 78% increase in viewership, while Ironmouse garnered 320,000 subscribers during "Subtember," marking a new milestone.

For more information on Stream Hatchet and insight into the esports and streaming markets, please visit their website at www.streamhatchet.com.

About GameSquare Holdings, Inc.

GameSquare's (NASDAQ:GAME) mission is to revolutionize the way brands and game publishers connect with hard-to-reach Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Millennial audiences. Our next generation media, entertainment, and technology capabilities drive compelling outcomes for creators and maximize our brand partners' return on investment. Through our purpose-built platform, we provide award winning marketing and creative services, offer leading data and analytics solutions, and amplify awareness through FaZe Clan, one of the most prominent and influential gaming organizations in the world. With one of the largest gaming media networks in North America, as verified by Comscore, we are reshaping the landscape of digital media and immersive entertainment. GameSquare's largest investors are Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Goff family.

To learn more, visit www.gamesquare.com.

About Stream Hatchet

Stream Hatchet is the leading provider of data analytics for the live streaming industry. With a suite of services encompassing a user-friendly SaaS platform, custom reports, and strategic consulting, Stream Hatchet is a trusted guide for those navigating the dynamic landscape of live streaming. The company has up to 7 years of historical data with minute-level granularity from 20 platforms, Stream Hatchet provides stakeholders in the live streaming industry with powerful insights to drive innovation and growth. Stream Hatchet partners with a diverse clientele - from video game publishers and marketing agencies to esports organizers and teams - who rely on the company's cutting-edge data analytics to optimize their marketing strategies, secure lucrative sponsorships, enhance esports performance, and build successful tournaments.

For more information visit www.streamhatchet.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the Company's and FaZe Media Inc.'s future performance, revenue, growth and profitability; and the Company's and FaZe Media's ability to execute their business plans. These forward-looking statements are provided only to provide information currently available to us and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, assurance or definitive statement of fact or probability. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions which include, but are not limited to: the Company's and FaZe Media's ability to grow their business and being able to execute on their business plans, the Company being able to complete and successfully integrate acquisitions, the Company being able to recognize and capitalize on opportunities and the Company continuing to attract qualified personnel to supports its development requirements. These assumptions, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to achieve its objectives, the Company successfully executing its growth strategy, the ability of the Company to obtain future financings or complete offerings on acceptable terms, failure to leverage the Company's portfolio across entertainment and media platforms, dependence on the Company's key personnel and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. These risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company which are discussed in the Company's most recent MD&A. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. GameSquare assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

S.Clark--SMC