Twitch, as a business, is powered by ad revenue. It’s a fact that viewers have to live with when watching their favorite streamers. However, Twitch is looking to make that experience a little more interactive as well as directly rewarding to creators with Multiplayer Ads, a new form of advertisement that lets viewers see the same commercial at once, then vote in a related poll to reward the streamer with Bits from Twitch.
The feature is currently in a closed beta with a limited number of streamers being selected for the test. Furthermore, creators that have been selected for the beta have a limited number of Multiplayer Ads that they can run. As for viewers, it is effectively as simple as watching the ad and participating in the poll, and while poll participation isn’t compulsory, it certainly is encouraged. Especially if viewers want to hand over some free bits. “We want our creators and fans to have the opportunity to experience everything together, and support their favorite creators along the way,” says Twitch in a statement.
Speaking of Twitch as a business, the company’s co-founder Kevin Lin is officially departing after nearly 13 years. “I’ve spent nearly a third of my life bleeding purple — even before we were purple — and I am so proud of everything we’ve achieved in these twelve and a half years,” he writes. “After many months of contemplation, I’ve decided it’s time to journey into my next adventure.”
