Twitch is currently showing its experimental side: Next month, the platform plans to test three new features, including a rewind function, all of which have the potential to remain permanently.
What’s new at Twitch: For a long time, Twitch viewers have been demanding a feature that allows them to rewind the stream. Until now, the only option was to create a clip to at least re-watch the last minutes. Competitor “YouTube” has done this better so far: viewers have been able to rewind since the launch of YouTube Gaming.
Twitch seems to want to catch up and finally follow the community’s calls. Via Twitter, the platform announced that this function will indeed be available next month. But that’s not all, Twitch users are also expecting two other changes.
These 3 features Twitch is planning:
- Rewind function
- Reminders
- “Watch trailers” function
Twitch under scrutiny, these features are long overdue
Twitch has come under fire in recent weeks due to many missteps. Hackers were able to extract countless data, including earnings of streamers, the source code of the website, and security tools. The leak also revealed that there used to be a “Do not ban” list that allegedly granted streamers free rein.
Furthermore, Twitch introduced the Boost feature at the end of September (via twitch-help.com). For special payments by viewers, the stream is pushed and placed more prominently on Twitch. Some users consider this simply pay-to-win – while others say the boost has no effect (via reddit.com).
A true flop but a cash bonanza for Twitch. Now, Twitch has announced three new features that viewers have partly desired for a long time. This could allow the platform to rehabilitate itself.
What the new features can do: The latest improvements that Twitch is planning are likely to be well received. In addition to a rewind feature, users will also be able to set reminders and jump directly to the channel trailer.
Rewinding ensures that you never miss an event, even if you are late. The “Remind me” function also lives up to its name: it reminds you when your favorite streamer goes live.
However, a similar feature already exists. If you created your Twitch account with a Gmail address and are logged in on your smartphone with it, you will receive an email notifying you of the start.
Finally, there is the “Watch trailer” function. This allows you to easily open the channel trailer without having to manually click on the streamer’s channel.
When will the features come? There is no exact start date yet. It is only known that not everyone will have access to the new functions, but rather a randomly selected test group. The officials of Twitch reveal only this much:
Over the course of next month, some viewers may see up to three new buttons on live channels. The experiment is supposed to last a month.
Dankstorm (Admin) via Twitch.uservoice
Although the buttons will be removed after the test phase, they may return in the future depending on evaluations – but then for all users. This does not guarantee that Twitch will permanently implement any of the three new features. When the implementation will take place is unfortunately also unknown.
