5 Features Twitch Should Remove with Host Mode, and 5 Features It Should Add

If you reside below a rock, you is perhaps shocked to listen to that Twitch will probably be retiring its internet hosting characteristic on October 3. To some, this will probably be a largely unnoticed removing, however to many extra, it’s a tragic loss. But, with the 86ing of this characteristic, the query is — what could possibly be subsequent on the chopping block? It’s not as if Twitch is the only platform to needlessly take away beloved options, however they’re among the many loudest.

Today, let’s discover that query — with a twist. If we had been accountable for eradicating (and including) options from Twitch’s consumer expertise, what would that appear to be? Here are 5 options we expect Twitch ought to take away alongside host mode, and 5 options we expect it ought to add as a substitute. It could possibly be apparent, however this listing is fully subjective, so that you’ll most likely disagree with many — if not all — of them.

5 Features Twitch Should Remove

1. Whispers

I’ve been on Twitch for a quantity of years, and I’ve solely ever obtained one whisper. Sure — that might say extra about me as a presence on Twitch than it does in regards to the characteristic. But, there are arguments available that the Whisper characteristic is out of the best way and largely pointless. Perhaps it’d be higher served to rework it right into a extra conventional direct / non-public message system? Also, put it within the dashboard!!

2. Live Channels Tab

I ponder how many individuals know the Live Channels tab is even a factor. I actually didn’t till lately. But, it could possibly be argued that the majority viewers are much less involved with who’s reside and extra with what they’re streaming. It may sound harsh, and it may not assist with discoverability, however this characteristic looks like it’s simply taking over helpful actual property on the browse part of Twitch.

3. Re-Examine the Prohibited Games List

I’m not arguing in opposition to the existence of the prohibited video games listing. I’m solely suggesting there are some video games that at present exist on it that shouldn’t be. I imply, we reside in a world the place HuniePop and Genital Jousting — video games that aren’t meant to be taken overly critically — are unattainable to stream on Twitch, alongside video games the names of which I can’t even sort right here. It simply appears foolish, particularly contemplating that, in case you’re involved with younger eyes seeing these video games, streamers can limit their very own channels so these younger’uns aren’t corrupted by the bare anime girls. IDK, Twitch … you must give it some thought.

4. Tags — Like, the Entire Institution of Tags

I get that, on different platforms, Tags assist with discoverability. I’ll even concede that they may assist with that on Twitch. But, they’re continually and persistently abused by dangerous actors, and it doesn’t appear to be they’ll ever be reformed. It could possibly be that Tags are a needed evil, they usually do extra good than hurt. But, there’s no purpose in anyway for somebody who’s not a vtuber to be utilizing the vtuber tag. None in any respect.

5. Inconsistent, God-Level Moderation

In talking of individuals abusing the meta for their very own achieve, let’s speak in regards to the inconsistency of Twitch. I’m positive you’ve heard about the one that determined it’d be a good suggestion to make the beast with two backs reside on Twitch, and the way they had been solely given a short, weeklong ban.

I don’t assume they need to’ve been given a everlasting ban or something — we all make errors — however, for a website that clutches its pearls on the existence of HuniePop or Genital Jousting, unbanning somebody who did the dew after per week appears … inconsistent, at finest.

5 Features Twitch Should Add

1. Hate Raid User Database

It’s an understatement that hate raids are a critical drawback on Twitch. I admit that this concept could possibly be simply abused if within the incorrect arms, however one answer to this drawback could be a database that might monitor customers IP addresses and stop banned customers from making new accounts to spam streamers. It must be inaccessible to customers, to forestall doxing and different normal unpleasantness, but when enacted responsibly, it’d go a great distance in the direction of exterminating hate raids and harassment on Twitch.

2. Allow Affiliates to Multistream

Before I grew to become an affiliate, I might typically use multi-streaming software program to stream to a number of websites without delay. I might normally solid to Twitch, YouTube, and my private Facebook. It was useful, as a result of some individuals who by no means would’ve seen my stream had been at the very least considerably uncovered to it. But, then I fulfilled the necessities to change into an affiliate, and as an alternative of being rewarded … I came upon I couldn’t multi-stream.

It’s not as if there’s no precedent for this. As of late-August, Twitch lifted the exclusivity settlement for all companions. I’m conscious this doesn’t imply companions can multi-stream — they nonetheless can’t. But, it’d be a easy repair for them to raise the exclusivity settlement (the lite model that stops associates from multi-streaming and posting content material elsewhere for twenty-four hours) for us, as nicely.

3. Method to Resign Inactive Usernames

Doesn’t it suck whenever you attempt to register your username on Twitch however it’s already taken?! It’d be nice if there was a characteristic that allowed inactive usernames to be resigned — both voluntarily or involuntarily, after a set time of not logging in — permitting others to make use of these usernames. If you’re not utilizing it, so long as you don’t have a copyright or trademark on the model, why wouldn’t you let others have it?

4. OBS Client Built Into Dashboard

It will be very tough streaming with the minimal required assets. How cool wouldn’t it be if Twitch teamed up with OBS, Streamlabs, or StreamElements to create an in-browser model of their software program? It’d open the floodgates for extra individuals to have the ability to stream with much less of their assets taken up by having OBS open along with every part else. I do not know if it’s attainable, nevertheless it’d be neat!!

Related: What is a Twitch Raid? Answered

5. Channel Points to Bits Conversion

I like Channel Points. But, I additionally like financially supporting my pals. It’d be cool to have the choice to transform Channel Points into Bits that may then be used to cheer our favourite streamers. I’m positive the ratio could be literal rubbish, however at the very least then I wouldn’t really feel like I’m bugging my buddy through the use of all of my Channel Points on that basically obnoxious sound of a recorder taking part in “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic.