TimTheTatman Is Calling Out Twitch's New Feature
Twitch recently announced a new feature that many fans feared could make the streaming platform pay-to-win, and now big-name creators are sounding off about the bold decision. Twitch's move to monetize fame might have bigger implications than the company intended, as a steady trend of streamers have already left the platform in favor of the growing YouTube Gaming. DrLupo and TimtheTatman found a new home on YouTube after leaving Twitch, joining gamers who had already settled into the new platform like Valkyrae and CouRage. In many ways, YouTube simply looks better than Twitch right now, and creators have taken notice.
Twitch's recent move to provide monetized boosts has only caused creators to more deeply consider their options in streaming platforms. Twitch announced paid boosts in October, and gamers immediately questioned the tool. Paid boosts essentially allow viewers to pay to improve a streamer's placement on Twitch's discovery page. Hypothetically, viewers would be able to help their favorite creators' visibility by paying for boosts, helping others find them, and allowing them to grow their platform. However, the boost's fine print didn't necessarily disallow streamers from boosting themselves, therefore making the new tool "pay-to-win" for those creators who have money to burn.
TimtheTatman has been part of the streaming community for years, giving him the experience needed to evaluate the new feature. However, his take on the issue was surprisingly simple.
TimtheTatman points out flaws
In a recent stream on YouTube, TimtheTatman gave his true thoughts on Twitch's decision to allow viewers to pay for boosts. In a brief clip, Tim asked, "What's gonna stop me from boosting my stream and then running ads?" Tim theorized that streamers could boost themselves in order to move up the discovery page, get more viewers, then run ads to make money, essentially paying a little to earn a lot. "Pay-to-win, bro, literally, it's a mobile game," Tim laughed. In this case, "winning" is more about financial success on the platform, which Tim argued could be manipulated through the use of paid boosts.
Tim pointed out earlier in his stream that YouTube Gaming has one important advantage over Twitch: it listens to streamers. TimtheTatman explained that features are great, but they need to be features that users actually want. Companies need to listen to those that actually utilize the platform in order to succeed. While Tim might be a bit biased after his move to YouTube gaming, he's not the only one criticizing Twitch for its recent decisions regarding paid boosts.
No one likes paid boosts
Often controversial streamer xQc also spoke out against paid boosts, saying, "Wow, guys this has to be probably the worst thing, idea I've ever heard in my life." xQc theorized that streamers could hire viewers to boost them and therefore earn more money. MrBeast and MoistCr1TiKaL also had a telling exchange, with MoistCr1TiKaL saying that Twitch "keeps spitting on its streamers." MrBeast responded, "It's like they want YouTube to win."
Streamers with both large and small platforms are speaking out against Twitch's marketing tactics, calling for their viewers to boycott the paid boost feature if it becomes available on their channels. One gamer called for streamers to stay silent over the weekend that paid boosts were set to roll out, cutting into Twitch's most profitable time. Streamer SirKatelyn pointed out that Twitch has refused to listen to streamers, who have asked for many features that they do want to see on the platform, including more effective ways to deal with aggressive viewers.
Others pointed out that Twitch streamers who benefit from paid boosts only do so by acquiring more viewers. Streamers don't actually receive any of the money used to boost their channels, and instead, that cash goes straight to Twitch itself.
While the Twitch paid boost feature is still in testing and available only to a select number of streamers in the US, it's unclear what the test will conclude or if Twitch will make the feature permanent despite the backlash.