Deep Dive: Twitch

What a video game live streaming service teaches us about church online

I’ve mentioned it before, but one of the great joys of my life is video games. I always liked playing video games, from the old Nintendo console of my childhood, to borrowing my brother’s GameBoy to play Pokemon Crystal, to dorm room tournaments of Super Smash Brothers. What really tipped me over the edge into full blown gamer status was a group of friends pitching together and buying me an Xbox 360 as a going away to seminary gift. Having my own console was a chance to play and learn exactly what I loved to play. As it turns out, there are few games I won’t at least try.

It’s not just playing video games, though. I enjoy watching other people play video games.

Here’s where you will fall into one of two categories. Perhaps you too watch video game tutorials, live streams, or play alongs. So you’re nodding your head. Or, the response I get more often, a kind of disbelief that anyone takes time to watch someone else play a game.

Depending on your familiarity with the concept will likely also determine if you know about Twitch. Twitch (found at twitch.tv) is a live streaming service that focuses mainly on watching video game live streams. It’s under the Amazon umbrella (boo) but represents so many communities of creators and watchers who hang out daily. Twitch also hosts livestreaming for activities other than video games, including church services, esports, music, and what they call “just chatting”.

I like what is often classified as cozy streams. This is just a way to say that it’s usually someone playing a gentle game (like Stardew Valley) and just chatting about the game and/or life. There are of course more high intensity versions with competition, shouting, and drama.

The crossover I want to make it that this format has plenty to teach churches about what it means to livestream worship. Our outcomes may be different than a streamer looking to generate income, but we can be pretty far behind the curve when it comes to creating an online presence that is compelling and accessible. With that in mind, here’s a list of what I’ve learned from Twitch.