Cyberpunk 2077 is a strong contender for the “Game of the Year 2020.” But how should one show that on Twitch without getting banned due to copyright violations? Cyberpunk has now found a solution: a clever streamer mode.
What is the problem? Playing music is currently risky on Twitch. Since May 2020, the music industry has sent “thousands of copyright infringement complaints every month,” as Twitch states. Twitch has no choice but to respond to these complaints, deleting clips and videos, warning streamers and banning them in the worst case.
Streamers were worried that they could also get banned if they played Cyberpunk 2077 and listened to copyrighted music in the game. Twitch then advised streamers to simply turn off the music altogether. However, that would surely ruin the atmosphere.
The situation has created a tense atmosphere on Twitch. Streamers recently protested against Twitch’s recommendation to “just turn off the music” by doing exactly that.
Now Cyberpunk 2077 presents a solution to this dilemma: its own streamer mode.
Streamer mode replaces protected songs with others
This is the solution from Cyberpunk 2077: The communications director of CD Projekt Red UK, Hollie Bennett, recently explained the new streamer mode in a Twitch stream:
If you want to stream Cyberpunk 2077 or make a video about it, we want to introduce you to a new mode that allows you to disable certain copyrighted music pieces. We know that it can sometimes be problematic for content creators to use protected music.
With the new mode, you can disable a small number of selected tracks that could cause problems. They will be replaced with other songs: This helps you to avoid the issues.
The German PR head of CD Projekt Red, Fabian Döhla, emphasizes that the soundtrack is the secret star of Cyberpunk 2077.
The “clever streamer mode” is supposed to further enhance the soundtrack.
This is how it is received: The solution is initially very well-received on reddit. Because a “Normal Streamer” mode, as used by FIFA 21, simply turns off the music completely. That’s a bit too dry. However, if the music is replaced appropriately, it seems that there are no complaints for now.
In general, however, people are also wondering on reddit why music in the stream is suddenly such a problem. Because for years it didn’t matter.
Twitch has come into the spotlight of the music industry in recent months:
- Due to the Corona pandemic, many earning opportunities for musicians and rights holders have disappeared.
- Twitch is growing very strongly at the same time – the music industry therefore says it is a matter of “life and death” to participate in the success of such a rapidly growing platform.
Cyberpunk 2077 is probably the most highly anticipated game of 2020. But recently some dark clouds have gathered over the game. There have been reports of harsh working conditions and a culture of overtime that raises concerns:
Internal email fuels discussion about overtime at Cyberpunk 2077
