Twitch introduces upcoming Channel Points feature

Live streaming video platform Twitch has introduced an upcoming feature to its streamers named Channel Points. This new feature was brought up on Twitter and in Reddit threads by streamers on the platform. Many reported receiving an email from Twitch that would allow them to “sign up for early access” to Channel Points.

Twitch Channel Points

“What is it? Fair question. Channel Points is a customizable points program that lets you reward members of your community with perks, including a taste of benefits typically reserved for subscribers. Sign up and we’ll send you instructions on how to get started when the program begins,” writes the email from Twitch about Channel Points. “One more thing: Since Channel Points is in early access, your viewers’ points may reset at the end of the testing period. We’ll definitely let you and your viewers know before that happens.”

In a Reddit thread by user GessikaPanda, many fellow streamers have posted about their perspective on the early access email. Some hypothesize that the feature might be similar to StreamElements’ existing points system. Others have compared it to Mixer’s Sparks system. It could replace the current currency or loyalty systems that some streamers have implemented.

Sparks are Mixer’s site-wide currency. Users of the Microsoft-owned streaming platform can earn them by watching streams or streaming themselves. They can then use the Sparks on various stream features or to create a Mixer team for 5000 Sparks. You can earn 50 Sparks per minute of broadcasting a stream or viewing a stream. There are also multipliers and bonuses for those that are subscribed, have an account rank, or viewing a specific channel.

Is it even real?

Some have mentioned that the email seems a bit suspicious. While the email came from a domain that belonged to Twitch, it linked to a Google Form instead of something internal. Others brought up the fact that the email domain could have been spoofed, as its wording was different than normal. The email failed to address users by their platform username or anything unique to the streamer. It also then asks for the username and email attached to the Twitch account in the form.

Got this in my email today about Twitch channel points early access. I did put my emai, but it did seem kinda fishy because it asked for my email. So to be safe I changed it. But we’ll see how this goes. Also twitch hasn’t announced it at all so that helps. #Twitch pic.twitter.com/aNm8D84d6F

— #LG | Anthony16Bit (@Anthony16Bit) August 17, 2019

In the chat of many official Twitch hosted live streams, one can often see a repeating message from a Twitch bot. It says something along the lines of not trusting anyone who claims to be Twitch staff. In Twitch’s security tips section, it also mentions the fact that Twitch staff and customer support will never ask for “passwords” or “stream keys”. The Google Form does not ask for this information. Still, it’s no surprise some users find this email fishy, seeing as no official statement has been provided by Twitch yet.

Is this just Twitch trying to increase user retention on their platform by implementing a customer loyalty feature? Let us know in the comments, and keep up with all of the latest Esports news and content here at Daily Esports.