Popular game streaming site Twitch, owned by online mega-marketplace Amazon, has announced that it will be selling games on its platform this Spring. While the company did not mention an exact launch date, Twitch added that several publishers have already opted into the service. Early notable adopters include Ubisoft, Telltale Games, Digital Extremes, Hi-Rez Studios, tinyBuild, Paradox Interactive, Trion Worlds, and Vlambeer.
Twitch’s launcher app will facilitate the video game marketplace, allowing players to do the usual transactions such as purchasing and redeeming codes. Like Steam, gamers can choose to download and play these games using the publishers’ own launcher and downloader clients, like EA Origin and Ubisoft Uplay.
Unique to Twitch’s marketplace is the ability to promote games on live streams. According to TechCrunch’s report, “Games can be promoted on the site beneath the live streams, where a bright, Twitch purple-colored “Buy Now” button will appear along with the game’s price. The games can also appear on channel pages. Developers will earn 70 percent of the revenue, while Twitch partner streamers will earn a 5 percent commission on sales from their channel pages.”
“For years we have appreciated how supportive Twitch streamers and viewers have been of our games,” said Chris Early, VP of Digital Publishing at Ubisoft, in a statement. “This made it an easy decision to work with Twitch to better serve our passionate community with benefits for everyone.”
