Some gamers, like me, may not have even known that there was a YouTube gaming app for your smartphone. To be fair, however, the video streaming platform has been attempting to rival Twitch.tv for years now, trying to monopolize gaming content on the internet. It’s a fascinating concept that so many people around the world find enjoyment in watching others play video games, but ever since the start of YouTube, people have been uploading “Let’s Play” videos that showcase walkthroughs to video games over nonsensical commentary.
Now, YouTube has announced that, in March 2019, it will be ceasing the YouTube Gaming app. Instead, what’s to come is a brand-new, revamped portal for all gaming content on the website, including live streams. YouTube has given content creators the ability to live stream video games for a while now, but since YouTube Gaming’s debut in 2015, its never been seen as the ideal platform for up and coming gamers to find their stardom.
The new portal will separate videos based on game brand (like how Twitch does), will promote live streaming as its main focus (like how Twitch does), and will allow gamers to monetize their content (like how Twitch does). I hope you’re seeing the same pattern that I am. YouTube has its own niche audience, and it doesn’t need to corner the gaming market, too. Just because YouTube has been around longer than Twitch doesn’t mean it deserves to hog the spotlight. Both websites do different things, but they do those things well. Trying to combine the aspects into one, all-encompassing platform is a recipe for bugs, glitches, and complaints.
