Twitch launches game sales

Viewers of streaming video platform Twitch are now able to purchase PC game content directly through the platform.

Developers can present offers via their streams, while officially Partnered streamers can earn cash from sales made on their pages, at a rate of five per cent. Purchases can be downloaded and played through either the Twitch desktop app or through dedicated publisher portals.

Furthermore, those who make a purchase worth $4.99 or more through Twitch get a free Twitch Crate offering randomised item drops. Items include exclusive emotes and chat badges.

As a promotion, however, any Twitch purchase made before the end of April will earn a Twitch Crate. There will also be four weekly prize draws and a grand prize of $500 of professional streaming equipment.

As of today, around 50 titles and associated in-game content will be available including For Honor, Ghost Recon Wildlands, The Walking Dead, Minecraft: Story Mode, SMITE, Paladins, Tyranny, Atlas Reactor, Broken Age, Psychonauts, Firewatch, Jackbox Party Pack 3 and Warframe.

Currently all sales are made in US dollars, although localised currencies are coming in the near future.

Many of our streamers want to make a living doing what they love," VP of commerce at Twitch Matt McCloskey said last month.

"To help them, we’re enabling game developers to sell game content at the exact time and place their communities are gathered to watch, which in turn lets streamers earn money from games sold on their channels. To ensure everyone benefits, we’re also rewarding fans that take part in the program with Twitch Crates."

For years we have appreciated how supportive Twitch streamers and viewers have been of our games,” Ubisoft’s VP of digital publishing Chris Early added. This made it an easy decision to work with Twitch to better serve our passionate community with benefits for everyone.”