The streaming platform Twitch introduced a beta version of its Bounty Board Program last week. Through these so-called bounties, streamers are to be directly connected with companies that will pay them for their stream.
With a new program, Twitch aims to connect streamers with companies that pay the content creators for a stream.
Twitch as a mediator
What is the Bounty Board? Streamers can sign up for jobs from companies that pay them for streams through the program on a new page. These “bounties” are tied to guidelines.
- Streamers should not unnecessarily “bash” games: Games should be evaluated honestly, even if this is not positive. However, the difference between constructive criticism and unnecessary bashing should be respected.
- Streamers should disclose sponsored bounties and inform their viewers about the paid content.
- The payout of the bounties is based on the requirements. For example, the streamer receives the full amount if the required viewers are reached, as well as a partial payment if the requirements are not met.
What does Twitch want to achieve with the bounties? Twitch likely aims to bypass marketing agencies that have otherwise connected content creators with companies through this new program. This also gives the platform more influence over which companies streamers collaborate with. Moreover, payments are processed directly through Twitch.
It is still unclear whether and how much Twitch earns from the deals. In response to inquiries from the US website Gamasutra, a representative of the streaming platform stated that it is still a beta test in a very limited scope and that it is too early to determine what a final program might look like.
Currently, the beta test of the program is only available for US Twitch partners and is limited to bounties for one-hour game streams. However, the company plans to have a beta testing phase of the Bounty Board with staggered invitations. This could take several months.
