TechScape: Twitch and the dark side of the streaming dream

Twitch is having a rough time. The live-streaming site, owned by Amazon since 2014, is synonymous for many with video games. The audience for TechScape is broad, so forgive me: some of you will wonder why I have to explain that Twitch is where viewers watch microcelebrities play video games, interact with those influencers and experience tight parasocial relationships of the sort that other communities have with podcasters, YouTubers or newsletter authors. (I love you, too). Others will wonder why anyone would want to watch someone playing video games.

When it streams it pours

Instead, things got worse. From the off, attenders said, the convention felt clinical and corporate, an opportunity to celebrate the company rather than a moment for the company to honour the streamers who have made it what it is.

The shackles of streaming

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