Twitch is already the predominant home for gamers to stream and watch live gameplay, but they’re also hoping to soon become a place to buy those games as well. The company, which is owned by mega online retailer Amazon, has launched a commerce page asking interested users to sign up.
The program is expected to launch sometime this spring, and would allow livestream viewers who like what they see to instantly and directly buy the games they’re watching. Streamers who manage to make sales will get a 5% share on all purchases, while buyers also get “a virtual crate with rewards like exclusive emotes, chat badges and Bits for Cheering” if they spend $5 or more.
“Viewers have always used Twitch as a way to ‘demo’ games before they buy,” the company says in a blog post. “Now we’ll be giving them a way to close the loop and buy a game or in-game items they’re interested in, when and where they discover it.”
The commerce program will launch initially with a handful of “select partners,” including Ubisoft, Hi-Rez Studios, Jackbox Games, Double Fine, Telltale Games, Devolver Digital, and more. For now, the program looks to only cater to PC users, despite Twitch being available on PS4 and Xbox One as well. Games bought can be accessed through the Twitch launcher, although they can also use other “developers’ ID systems via account linking.”
“We believe there is tremendous potential in our community-first approach to game discovery and sale,” the company adds. “It allows streamers to play and promote games they authentically enjoy and be rewarded for helping fans find new content. The community will love supporting streamers they watch by shopping local, right from the channel page they’re already spending time on.”
The program will only accept U.S. currency at launch.
Learn more about the program by watching the announcement video here.
