Twitch streamers threaten boycott over new sponsorship rules
Twitch being hit with controversy is, of course, nothing new. If it's not the streamers themselves doing something controversial (or in PewDiePie's case recently, not doing anything) then it's the site itself.
The streaming giant is notorious for changing its rules and moving the goalposts when streamers seem to push the boundaries of what's palatable to be seen on stream.
Twitch is well within its rights to dictate its own rules. After all, users simply don't have to use the platform - what with so many competitors crawling out of the woodwork. But, it seems that Twitch may have pushed things too far this time.
Twitch streamers threaten to boycott the site
Though their livelihoods could be put on the line in the process, Twitch streamers are beginning to feel as though the platform's rules are becoming so strict, they'll have to boycott it until it pulls a U-turn on its recent decisions.
Twitch has revealed a series of new guidelines that are set to come in on July 1. These will restrict logos on streams from taking up 3% of screen size, while also prohibiting ads from being shown by the content creator. Instead, ad usage is limited to the ads on the stream itself, making sure that Twitch gets paid.
Naturally, this has caused an uproar - Twitch has been a difficult cookie to crack in the past when it comes to ads, and this is a bizarre new caveat in its rules that is seriously risking the livelihoods of streamers. Thankfully, it looks as though Twitch is listening.
Twitch will rewrite its new advertising rules
Twitch has clearly kept its ear to the ground, as it has revealed in a new Twitter thread that it intends to rework the rules. Saying it "missed the mark" with its language and will "rewrite the guidelines to be clearer," the platform apologised to its creators.
The service maintains that it will not "limit streamers' ability to enter into direct relationships with sponsors," although the damage has already been done for big names like Zack "Asmongold" Hoyt. The One True King creator group said it "cannot exist under the suffocating canopy" of Twitch's new policies.
OTK pointed out a number of Twitch alternatives are on the rise, and as the likes of YouTube and Kick make moves on its turf, now's not the best time to aggravate your biggest names. It's good news that Twitch is paying attention, but it's a bit of a close call for the platform. And lord knows it's had plenty of those.
