At TwitchCon Rotterdam, Twitch announced a bunch of new features, bringing vertical livestreams to the platform, the ability to rewind live content, and a whole lot more.
The platform is introducing dual-format streaming, meaning streamers using enhanced broadcasting can send out both horizontal and vertical feeds simultaneously. Twitch is partnering with Aitum Vertical for OBS support initially. This means desktop viewers will see the usual landscape, but on mobile, the stream smartly switches to a vertical layout if you are holding your phone upright, flipping to landscape if you rotate. The new vertical view is also designed to make it easier to participate in things like Hype Trains or to sub and gift while watching full screen.
This dual-format streaming and the new vertical theater will be tested with a few channels this summer before a wider rollout later this year. Alongside this, that much-requested rewind feature is finally coming. If you tune in late or have to grab a drink, you will be able to rewind the stream to catch what you missed and then resume live. Testing for rewind is slated to begin with a small number of viewers later this summer.
Other updates include an expanded beta for 2K streaming, now available to more Partners and Affiliates who sign up; this uses a slicker HEVC codec for better quality without hogging all your bandwidth. The Combos feature, first shown off last year, which lets chat amplify moments with Bits, is in a gradually expanding closed beta. Streamers are also getting more control with streamer-led promotions for gift subs, initially offering 35% off bundles of five or more, with 70 hours of promo time per year for streamers to use when it suits them.
For up-and-coming creators, Twitch plans to provide all streamers with access to certain monetization and community tools even before Affiliate status, starting later this summer, and Affiliate requirements are becoming more achievable. Clipping tools are also getting a boost, with features to suggest good clips and a less intrusive way for anyone to make a clip. And since it was Mod Appreciation Day, Twitch rolled out mobile Mod View for Android and launched the Twitch Moderators Club, a dedicated Discord space for mods.
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