TimTheTatman criticises Twitch for its “pay to win” paid boost feature
Following the addition of Twitch’s controversial paid boost feature, YouTube streamer Tim ‘TimTheTatman’ Betar has referred to the streaming platform as a “mobile game” and “pay to win.”
YouTube’s recent assault on Twitch’s streaming monopoly is the latest twist in a saga that has seen new platforms try to expand their influence in the burgeoning community. YouTube appears to be succeeding where Mixer failed.
When TimTheTatman left Twitch in September, he became arguably the biggest name to sign an exclusivity deal, with CouRage and Valkyrae (among others) already streaming on the video platform.
He’s already explained why he thinks YouTube Gaming is a better home for streamers than Twitch, and on October 29, he chastised Amazon’s streaming platform for the addition of a new contentious feature.
Users can pay to boost specific streams to other users using the feature in question. It has received some criticism from Twitch’s creators, but the site has continued to add it despite this.
TimTheTatman, who is no longer streaming on the platform, has joined the chorus of those who have criticised the move.
“What I said was, what’s gonna stop me from boosting my stream and then running ads?” he commented.
When told that there is nothing to prevent the feature from being used in this manner, he continued, “[It’s] pay to win bro.” “It’s a mobile game.”
Betar joins a long list of celebrities in criticising the feature. For example, xQc called it the “worst idea” he’d ever seen. Despite the reservations, Twitch has moved forward with the feature, which is gradually being rolled out to users.
It’s unclear how it will age and how long it will last, but Tim appears relieved that YouTube lacks a comparable feature.