What happened at TwitchCon?
CEO Dan Clancy kicked off the event by addressing community concerns and unveiling new features like improved mobile app functionality and the Shared Chat tool.
Community engagement was a central theme at TwitchCon 2024. Visitors had the opportunity to meet their favorite streamers during intimate meet-and-greet sessions and engage in panel discussions that covered everything from content creation to mental health. One of the standout moments was a chessboard setup speed contest, where participants set a new world record—27.91 seconds, with one hand!
Major Announcements
CEO Dan Clancy kicked off the event by addressing community concerns directly, emphasizing Twitch's commitment to transparency and communication. Key announcements included:
- Improved integrations with TikTok and YouTube for streamers
- A new universal mobile app launching in summer 2024
- Expansion of Power-Ups features including seasonal message effects and custom options
- Introduction of Creator Clubs for IRL streamers and DJs
- Testing of new features like shared chat for Guest Star and 60-second video stories
Mobile App Enhancements
With 70% of new viewers finding Twitch through mobile, the platform announced significant upgrades to its app, including:
- Easier navigation with swipe functionality
- Picture-in-Picture prioritization
- Autoplay control options
- Thumbnails for followed channels (coming in October)
- Ability to resume VODs from recently watched streams
Streaming Innovations
Twitch unveiled several new features to enhance the streaming experience:
- Shared Chat: Allowing up to 6 creators to combine their chats when streaming together
- Enhanced Broadcasting: 1440p (2K) resolution streaming coming in 2025
- Dual-format streaming: Simultaneous vertical and landscape streaming
“The Twitch drag show has become quite an event! For a platform often known to be a bro-zone, this was nothing but good vibes.”
Community Guidelines and Moderation Updates
Twitch addressed concerns about transparency in moderation:
- More detailed information for violations, including chat excerpts and clips
- Strikes will now expire over time, depending on the severity of the violation
#PlayGalaxy Cup: Samsung's Gaming Showcase
Samsung hosted the second #PlayGalaxy Cup, featuring:
- 16 popular content creators and e-sports pros competing in PUBG Mobile
- Teams using either touchscreen or mouse and keyboard controls on Galaxy S24 Ultra devices
- Livestreamed globally on Twitch, showcasing Samsung's mobile gaming capabilities
Community Focus and Inclusivity
TwitchCon 2024 emphasized the importance of community:
- The Twitch drag show was noted as a positive, inclusive event
- Non-profit organizations like St. Jude's and Heart.org had a strong presence
"Twitch is all about engaging with community, and so the most interesting moments actually happen when a community member does something and the streamer reacts to it"
- Marry Kish / Head of Community Twitch
Yolk of the Matter
- Held in San Diego from September 20-22, 2024
- Over 30,000 attendees
- Major announcements:
- Improved mobile app with easier navigation and new features
- Shared Chat for collaborative streaming
- Enhanced Broadcasting with 1440p resolution coming in 2025
- Changes to community guidelines violations and strike system
- #PlayGalaxy Cup tournament hosted by Samsung, showcasing Galaxy S24 Ultra's gaming capabilities
- Popular events included TwitchCon Drag Showcase and Block Party in Gaslamp Quarter
- Focus on community building and engagement for streamers
- Twitch committed to hosting TwitchCon in San Diego for the next 5 years through 2028
- Some issues reported with disruptive behavior from non-Twitch streamers and alleged drink spiking incidents
As Twitch looks towards its future in San Diego, it's clear that technological innovations alone won't secure its position. The platform needs to rebuild trust with its community, offer more competitive terms to creators, and find innovative ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape. TwitchCon 2024 showed potential, but also underscored the work that lies ahead for the platform to truly evolve and address its users' needs.
