[Isn't that beautiful?] You will soon be able to buy your games directly on Twitch

In a few months (or even weeks, the deployment date has not yet been specified), Twitch regulars will see a new button appear under the video of their favorite streamer. It will allow them to buy the game they are watching in a few clicks. Because yes, Twitch has decided to play in Steam's garden and launch into the sale of dedigitalized games.

Streamer dual-class seller

Where Twitch stands out from its direct competitor in the way it distributes revenue. 70% of the sale price of a game goes into the developer's pocket. Amazon's subsidiary keeps 25% of the amount paid (compared to 30% for Steam). As a good calculator, you will have noticed that 5% is missing. This is the commission paid to streamers. Thus, for each purchase on their page, a partner broadcaster will recover a portion of the sales. A new way to support your favorite streamer in short.

What's more, subscribers who spend more than $5 per purchase will get a “Twitch Crate”, containing a slew of bonuses, such as unique emotes, badges, and Bits (Twitch's virtual currency).

Games will also be available to purchase from a dedicated page, similar to what Steam can offer. Likewise, it will be possible to download a title directly from the Twitch launcher. At launch, prices will be displayed in dollars and games will only be available in English, pending the arrival of localized versions later in the year.

A platform for young and old

On the developer side, Ubisoft, Paradox Interactive, Telltale Games, Digital Extremes, Hi-Rez Studios, Trion Worlds, Vlambeer, tinyBuild have already signed a broadcast agreement with Twitch. Among the notable absentees, we note the presence of EA, which is dedicated to its own sales platform Origin, Activision, Bandai Namco and Square Enix. And of course, Valve.

Ironically, it is these absentees who own the most popular games among streamers, such as Overwatch, DotA 2 or CS: GO.