Twitch is testing vertical broadcasts following TikTok and YouTube

Amazon-owned streaming service Twitch has begun closed-loop testing of its vertical video format. The first alpha tests were discovered by AppSensa analysts in the mobile app’s code.

• A switch between classic and vertical modes is available
• The first time you use it, the system shows tutorial prompts
• Testing the mobile broadcast feature with access to camera and microphone

The feature is available to a limited number of streamers for now. Twitch confirmed that it began testing with a small number of channels over the summer, and plans to expand the testing audience by the end of the year.

Twitch has confirmed that it has started testing with a small number of channels over the summer.

The move is clearly aimed at competing with TikTok, Instagram* Reels and YouTube Shorts, where the vertical format has become standard. Earlier at TwitchCon, the company also announced tests of 2K-format broadcasts.

Experts say Twitch is trying to adapt to the changing habits of viewers increasingly consuming content from mobile devices. But it remains to be seen how well the vertical format will fit into the ecosystem of a platform originally designed for horizontal gaming broadcasts.

It’s also unclear how well the vertical format will fit into the ecosystem of a platform originally designed for horizontal gaming broadcasts.

Twitch officials declined to disclose details of the tests or a timeline for the feature’s full launch, citing the early stage of development.

* Owned by Meta, it is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and its activities are banned.

The story Twitch is testing vertical broadcasts following TikTok and YouTube was first published on ITZine.ru.