Twitch wants developers to build streaming service into games

Streaming service Twitch has launched a new ‘Stream First’ initiative aimed at developing games, with a focus on live streaming and participation from development. There are already three such games in development.

The purpose of the integration with games is to allow viewers to be more involved in a stream, the Twitch devblog reports. Until now, for example, this has been seen in community projects such as ‘Twitch plays Pokémon’, where the viewers could influence the actions of the game character via certain commands. However, this was a functionality that was not supported by the game itself, but was later built around it. In Rise of the Tomb Raider there was a built-in ability, which allowed the audience to influence the game to a limited extent.

If streaming is built into the development of a game, much more is possible, Twitch reports. The company cites examples such as a co-op mode with viewers, structuring feedback through mini-surveys and collecting experience from watching a game. There is also a direct reference to ‘TwitchPlays’, in which the viewers determine which way the game goes.

Engadget reports that three Stream First games are now in the works: Superfight, Wastelanders and Streamline. Wastelanders is a turn-based strategy game where viewers compete against the streamers and control warriors on a battlefield and influence the battle in other ways as well. In Superfight, players create a superhero using traits derived from a collection of cards. Then there is a discussion between the players about which superhero would beat the other in a fight. Viewers can then cast their vote to determine the winner.

The last game is Streamline, which allows the streamer to easily team up with their viewers and then choose different game formats. The viewers meanwhile set the rules and can also place bets on the possible winner.

Screenshot of Wastelanders