twitch.tv
Twitch is a website where content creators can come together to celebrate mutual games, exclusive shows, and more. One of the coolest things about it is the ability to interact with the content creators in real-time! Streamers go live and play games while talking with their followers and subscribers.
In 2011, a streaming company called Twitch was launched. At the time, it focused on video games and e-sports. The site saw rapid growth and in 2014, Amazon bought the company for over $1 billion. At its peak, Twitch reportedly saw 20 million viewers per month.
It's clear that Twitch has changed the way people game. Now even casual players can stream and achieve success by doing so. Viewers can preview games they would like to try and watch demos of before taking the plunge to make a purchase. The streaming site also does a wonderful job of fostering community in the gaming world.
Website Design
I think Twitch is one of the best streaming services out there. Their design is really consistent and easy to use. The logo is a cool purple and black text that says "Twitch."
Upon first inspection, the website menus are a lot to take in. But after further inspection, it is quite easy to get around the layout of the streams and channels. Once you create an account your home page will be modified to your personal preferences. I have discovered some amazing streamers by checking my recommended category!
There are 2 different views of the Twitch dashboard that you can choose from. The first view is a clean and crisp white background with purple accents. The other popular choice is the night mode. This view has a black background with pops of purple accents.
Content
Many people enjoy Twitch content because there are so many different streams to watch. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide which stream to start watching, but once you create an account you can customize your home feed to show streams that are likely to interest you.
There are video gamers in one corner of the stream. They're always streaming live games like Fortnite, World of Warcraft, Dead By Daylight, and more. There's always someone playing at any time of day, including the wee hours of the morning.
Another aspect of Twitch is the tabletop gaming community. Dungeons and Dragons themed channels host streams of their sessions. Magic: The Gathering is another popular tabletop game that sees a lot of play from viewers. Aside from the paper format, Magic is also visible in the video game forms of Magic Online and Arena. Another tabletop game that is streamed is Pathfinder.
Finally, there are Twitch streams for Crafts and Slice of Life chatting. Cosplayers stream their process of making their characters, and also do some in character videos. There are also many artists and crafters that stream their processes. The Just Chatting section features people just hanging out and talking with their followers about their day and other topics.
Desktop & Mobile Accessibility
I absolutely love the desktop browser version of this website! Twitch did an amazing job making it feel like a dream, and it remains one of the most reliable sources of entertainment out there. It blows all of the other content creation websites out of the water.
The mobile browser is a simplified, scaled-down version of the desktop browser. The screen goes straight to a welcome header and recommended live feeds. The sidebar for recommended channels is collapsed in this mode. The top menu is simplified even more and only allows users to toggle between the home feed and the categories. The search bar is in clear view at the top of the page. If users open the app, a pop-up will prompt them to start using it
The app is great. The format is tweaked to optimize the viewing experience. The loading screen is a purple background with the Twitch logo. The top menu is notifications, social media, and the search bar. On the bottom, the first landing page is followed by the following: notifications, social media, and discover tab.
Positives
Additionally, the website is very easy to use.
Many people love Twitch because it is an absolutely free streaming service with tons of content to watch from most popular streamers. It's also super easy to use, meaning you don't have to be a tech expert to start using it.
Some streamers on Twitch offer subs for a fee that grants viewers more access to features on the website, such as being able to interact with entertaining people in real-time. Viewers watch live in order to see the interaction and then comment on it. Being able to personally connect with someone who is playing a game that you love or doing a craft that you can relate to is an important part of our internet-obsessed culture today and Twitch provides the best version of this experience.
The amount of streaming options is unbelievable. There is so much variety to choose from. Even if you find a category you like, there are thousands of streamers to watch. If your favorite streamer goes offline, that's not a problem. There are usually plenty more streaming online, so you may find another broadcaster you enjoy.
The website design is another impressive aspect of Twitch. The webpage, mobile browser, and application are all easy to use. The navigation system is flawlessly designed. The branding that the Twitch team has worked so hard to promote is very apparent. The signature color blue and the logo are unmistakable, and Twitch is a household name that people instantly recognize.
Negatives
There are not many negative aspects of Twitch, as the website is in overall good shape. The few issues that do exist are easily fixed and don't amount to a big deal.
For someone who is new to the content creation streaming websites, Twitch seems a bit confusing. It has a good flow but can be hard to figure out what you need. This is easily solved by spending more time on the site and learning the symbols.
Many people complain that Twitch is too restrictive with their bans. For example, females often get kicked if they are viewed as being too lewd. Most of the time, these streamers are within the guidelines, but they're still banned. I've seen a lot of complaints on Twitter about unfair bans. Usually, these complaints are resolved, but cutting off a streamer who is making money can be financially harmful. hopefully, in the future, this problem will be resolved.
Improvements Needed
There are a few things that don't seem to be working well on Twitch. The main one is the banning, which I think needs to be reformed in a more reasonable way. If there was a way to slowly cut off a streamer instead of just terminating their account abruptly, that would be better. It would likely require too many staff members though. I'm not sure of the best solution to this problem, but hopefully someone on the Twitch team is thinking of something. This is a minor issue in the overall scheme of things.
Summary
Overall, I think Twitch is a great website. Their website and mobile designs are flawless. The navigation of the webpage is easy to follow and you will get hooked in no time watching entertainers play games.
I have mostly positive things to say about Twitch. Some of the negative things I have to said were very close to being untrue, but I think that Twitch is still the front-runner among competitors. I would definitely recommend this website to anyone who enjoys gaming, crafting, or socially interacting with people.
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