Twitch.tv is where you would find a thick crowd of gamers, approximately a 100 million per month, live streaming video games online. Twitch is a platform for gamers to live stream their video games online for others to watch. The site is available for viewers to watch on demand, and for streamers to stream live, for free.
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Amazon.com bagged it in, buying it for almost 1 billion dollars. That may be a big surprise for most, since it is probably their first-time hearing about this apparently giant organisation. Twitch is indeed a giant in the gaming world, where many streamers depend on it financially, some even emotionally.
Aside from the main content of live playthroughs and broadcasts, Twitch includes talk shows that are gaming related, and even has a scope for personalized streaming. Twitch has been mostly populated with the male population, thus, leading them to launch more categories. This was done to attract a more varied range of live streamers, and viewers.
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They launched an official category – “Creative”. This category is associated with the non-game streaming, designed to stream artistic works. Twitch has another official category that is devoted to streaming music related streams, including live performances, radio shows, and even music production.
Now, the question arises how does one depend on Twitch financially? Simple answer would be - advertisers. Well, of course, that is not the only way of earning.
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Twitch, as an organisation, earns from subscription fees and advertising (obviously!). Twitch is free, but subscription to Turbo lets one stream without ads. This is much like most sites like Spotify, YouTube and loads of others, that demand a paid subscription to get rid of advertisements. For most viewers, that is not really an option, and honestly, we have all learned to live with the occasional pop-up ads on each site we visit. Advertisers gain greatly dedicated demographic-base for target audience for their products through Twitch.
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Broadcasters have options of their own to earn through Twitch. They could apply for Twitch’s partnership program gaining a percentage of Twitch’s subscription and advertisement revenue. That needs to be approved by the authorities. They could also sell their tricks, cheat codes or hacks to their viewers and, other players for exchange of money. There is also a scope for rewards from the occasional gaming tournaments held on the Twitch platform.
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At this point, the people still unknown to this concept of watching others play video games and its popularity, must be questioning – why? Twitch users could list out series of reasons behind the awesomeness of Twitch.
Why do we watch cricket matches live on our television, for hours at a time? The very familiar feeling of fun and excitement, the uncertainty, and the live commentary. This just does not limit to cricket matches; we watch thousands of physical games’ live streams. Biggest example of that would be the Olympic Games.
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It is no different for video games and their live streams. For video gamers, it is a great place to gain knowledge on high-level gameplay. Many expert steamers also share game tips and ways to improve on. It also serves as a preview to games that gamers would go on to buy.
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A very big part of Twitch’s popularity is its community. Twitch has a supportive community. Streamers engage with other streamers and their viewers, building a warm and welcoming community for users. All of us crave for a feeling of being a part of something, and Twitch provides just for that. The streamers have thousands of online viewers viewing at the same time, and bonding over the Twitch chat box.
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Twitch users believe the main reason for its success is that it is run by good-hearted people. For many users, Twitch serves as an escape from their personal lives and whatever trouble that comes with it. It proves to be a haven for individuals who just want to spend some time away from real life, engaging into something of their own interest, and even earn from doing so. Users suggest that they find consistency and calm here.
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Twitch does not promote pretended happiness and gives users freedom to express themselves. They leave it to the users’ own conscience to judge what they should or should not say. The internet is filled with bullies who pop in to criticise and bully other users, and Twitch is not free of them. Even so, it is a much more positive platform than many others, with supportive members.
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New streamers are supported by the Twitch community greatly, much like regular streamers. It is a healthy environment for gamers to grow and improve their skills and, share their experience with the world. It is indeed a global community.
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Another positive aspect to the Twitch community that deserves appreciation is the millions of dollars that streamers raise towards charities. The support of all users for each other is indeed commendable.
Other platforms have emerged, namely, Microsoft’s Mixer, YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, and the new Caffeine. Yet, Twitch has remained supreme, signing multimillion-dollar deals with e-sports companies and top streamers. Twitch has been around for quite a long time, thus, developing its own culture and, inside jokes born in the chat logs that accompany live streams. Twitch has allowed streamers who earn through subscriptions and donations, to thrive.
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Taking the big step to even think of starting a live stream on Twitch.tv for beginners may seem next to impossible. Contrary to that belief, it is not as difficult as it seems. It is, in fact, quite simple. All you need is your interest in gaming, your dedication, a bit of courage, and you are good to go!
 
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