Since their initial launch four years ago, the live-streaming video platform Twitch has seen great success. Millions have been able to tune and watch others conquer the realms of the latest video games. Despite this success, the company is hungry for more. Their next step “Stream First” will be bringing about a few changes.
1. TWITCH WILL BE ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY
In the past, the Twitch community has generated a lot of creative ventures. There’s been loyalty currencies, subscriber tournaments and a wealth of various groups that have grown through the process. Until now, all the creativity has been externalized, but “Stream First” will now be embracing these developments.
2. SUPERFIGHT
This is the first of three arena-style games that Twitch is introducing. The basis of the game is to guess who would win fights between characters with superpowers. Audience members will pick the winner in any contest with the ability to vote with a group chat and four-way live video.
3. WASTELANDERS
Wastelanders, made by children game developer Schell Games, will be bringing this turn-based strategy game to Twitch. Broadcasters will assume to the role of a leader in a post-apocalyptic wasteland kind and lead viewers into battle against other broadcaster warlords. Viewers will be able to interact and be rewarded for their loyalty.
4. STREAMLINE
This is the third and final game announced this year. This arena-based game made by developer Proletariat with being a third person game that brings the viewers in on the action. Featuring different modes, broadcasters and viewers will become “Hunters” and “Runners”. Runners survive to earn points while the Hunters, you guessed it, do the hunting.
5. DEEPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND CREATORS
The whole basis for Twitch’s Stream First program will be to form a deeper relationship between game creators and the audience. Due to fierce competition from YouTube Gaming, Stream First hopes their methods will create a loyal, community feel in order to hold on to its dominant market share. It’s still in the early stages of development but the future of Stream First could transform this new genre into an essential aspect of gaming culture.
