Introduction

So, you've just been told that your child, a family member, or a dear friend has become a large user of a site called “Twitch.tv” and you have no idea what it is. Don't panic! I'm here to tell you that this is a good thing for a variety of reasons. But before I get into why that is, let me first tell you that I do not represent Twitch. I neither work for them nor am I paid to tell you this information. My sole goal is to explain what Twitch is and how it can be beneficial. With that out of the way, let's get started.

 

What is Twitch?

Think of Twitch as though it were television. It's a form of entertainment. The medium of this entertainment is video gaming. In short, the site is used for streaming video games, building communities, and potentially opening other doors in the future.

 

Who uses Twitch?

Before explaining what streaming is, it's important to know the audience. The quick and dirty answer is virtually everyone uses Twitch. What I mean is there's no real age restriction other than the normal. Obviously, if you have younger viewers, they would be watching streamers that play League of Legends or Minecraft – games that tend to be family oriented, where other games are aimed at more mature audiences like Dungeons & Dragons or Amnesia. D&D can be played at a PG-13 age but it often appeals to a larger age bracket. Amnesia is a horror game that is typically played and watched by a more mature audience due to its nature.

 

What is streaming?

So what is streaming then? Where television uses video cameras to record their footage onto various devices, which are then passed to studios for distribution, Twitch has individuals who use programs to display the games they are playing. Some streamers will use web cams, although it is not necessary. Certain rules apply to streaming contained in the Twitch Terms of Service, but the end goal is entertainment. Although, a streamer does has the potential for income after building a fan-base. That said, a lot goes into using the platform. Streamers are: putting on performances, presenting themselves in a particular fashion, locating suitable background music, making or buying graphics, along with other things they may need. Streamers don't follow a specific script like actors, they just go with the flow. If a streamers 'product' is good enough to generate a lot of viewers, they can apply for partnership.

 

What's the point of Twitch?

The point is to entertain, at least on the surface. The meta-goal of Twitch is to create opportunities. Throughout the usage of Twitch, a person will: make new contacts – professional and otherwise, create communities, and eventually can run their own business (assuming they aren't streaming passively). Since job security in the traditional sense is a thing of the past, many people have been looking for other sources of income – streaming is one option that people have considered. That said, streaming typically requires a full-time investment. If the goal is to use Twitch on a full-time basis, streaming does become a business. A streamer has to analyze their market and adapt accordingly. They need to make a schedule, emotes (or find people to do this for you), and stick to their guns. At some point, the streamer has to research networking effectively, taxation, copyright issues, and a whole host of other business related tasks. Most importantly, the streamer must adhere to the Terms of Service set out by Twitch. In the end, the skills learned can lead a business person to other opportunities in future.

 

Can anything be taken away from watching Twitch?

Twitch isn't just about people playing video games, it's about self improvement, understanding the basics of business, networking, creating life long friendships, overcoming challenges, learning professionalism, and refining time management skills. The platform of Twitch fills a gap that many people have in their lives – a sense of belonging. When a person is streaming, it's unlike going to a job that doesn't care, it's creating your own virtual experience. Many people that have come from Twitch have grown as people. To illustrate my point one can look to internet celebrities like Markiplier, Pewdiepie, or Lirik. To the average person, Twitch is about kids playing video games, but in reality it teaches people important transferable skills. That is assuming there is interest in making a career out of Twitch.

 

Why is Twitch more accessible than other media sources?

My answer to this is highly speculative. For a long time television was the medium that people went to, but television didn't give the viewer control. That ability rolled out many years later by introducing time shifting. There are no guarantees that your favourite shows would remain on air for more than one season (*ahem* Firefly..) Movies used to be big in entertainment but with the growing cost of living, and less disposable income for families, many can't afford it or are uninterested. Twitch, on the other hand, gives you a platform in which you can be entertained from the comfort of your own home at no extra mandatory costs. It allows for a community of like minded people to converse where other mediums do not. Even the cost on the streamer side is not high. No rule states that you must stream with a web cam or you must stream only one type of game. Equally, there are no rules saying you must pay money for use of the various programs. If you have decent internet, a Twitch account, and are willing to look up the basics of streaming, you can begin today if you desired. The key is: Twitch is highly accessible.

 

Conclusion

I hope that these questions give enough of a glimpse into what Twitch is and why it's important for many people. I have other articles to be released which will go into more detail about Twitch. Those articles will detail some of the different roles and things to consider from a seasoned channel moderator.

 

If there are any questions that haven't been entertained, please tweet me! www.twitter.com/jagtress

 

Until next time!

Susan “Jagtress” N.