Tuesday 16 September 2014

Amazon buys Twitch: Here’s what you should know about the gameplay video service

Amazon buys Twitch: Here’s what you should know about the gameplay video service
It’s Amazon and not Google that has acquired Twitch. Google has been eyeing Twitch for some time and certain reports even claimed that the search giant’s YouTube has already sealed the deal. YouTube buying Twitch made a lot of sense, after all. However, the big surprise comes as Amazon has finally snapped the live video startup company for $970 million. So, what’s it about Twitch that two industry giants operating in different spaces have been vying to acquire the startup. For those not in the know how, here are five thing you may need to know about Twitch:
Twitch is a popular video streaming service that allows gamers across the world to connect by letting them broadcast gameplay videos, watch these braodcasts, and also chat from wherever they play. You heard it right! It lets viewers watch others play a video game live, too. This has also helped turn some gamers into celebrities in the Twitch circuit.  Though, it may sound odd, the concept has a vast following, and its popularity has increased since 2011.
It is believed to have more than a million unique users broadcasting every month. In fact, during peak hours, its traffic is believed to rival and sometimes surpasses even Google.
With native apps for the PS4 as well as Xbox One consoles, Twitch is a popular option for gamers who want to show the world their skills and tactics. Both of these have reportedly sold over 12 million units so far, so whoever acquires Twitch has a big user base to tap into.
In June 2011, Twitch.tv was launched by Justin.tv co-founders Justin Kan and Emmett Shear as a subsidiary of Justin.tv that focussed on gaming-related content. It was built only when the founders noticed that the site’s gaming channels managed to attract significantly large numbers.
By 2014, Twitch grew so huge that the parent company was rebranded as Twitch Interactive, according to Techcrunch. Twitch has managed to raise $35M since it became independent.
Posted by : Gizmeon

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