Twitch is easily the biggest video game broadcasting platform in the world. With content creator stars like Amounarth, xQc, and Shroud forging successful careers, millions of users tune in every day to see their favorite streamer. However, the site itself is often marred by a number of controversies, especially when it comes to bringing down the ban hammer. There's been another point of contention lately, but it looks as though the company has changed its mind when it comes to protecting people at this year's TwitchCon.
According to a report from The Verge, which cites a blog post on the Twitch website, the platform has updated its policy about masks at the convention that's being held in San Diego this October. The update to one of its previous posts now acknowledges that people want "stricter health measures" to be put in place, especially for those who are immunocompromised. As a result, the company now says that face masks will be a requirement at the convention, as well as checking for proof of vaccination or, at the very least, checking for proof that attendees have had a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to the event.
This came about after it transpired that Twitch did not require face masks at TwitchCon, despite the fact that other conventions, such as Comic-Con, were making them mandatory. TwitchCon is being held on October 7-9. Among others, streamers such as Pokimane and DisguisedToast will be in attendance. There will be tournaments, a cosplay event, panels, meet and greets, and more. As well as the recent blog post now stating that masks will be mandatory, it also says that tickets for the convention are now on sale for anyone who wishes to attend.
Aside from this, there has been more controversy that is following in the wake of the streaming platform. Recently, Twitch streamers have been the subject of a swatting. For those who don't know, the prank of swatting is when users will make false reports to the police with the intention of having a swat team sent to a specific address, usually the address of the streamer who is live at that point. Twitch considers this a severe violation of its community guidelines.
Although Twitch is still the head honcho of video game broadcasts, streaming sites in general saw a decline in a viewship a few months ago. Whether this was because lockdown measures were being lifted cannot be said, but the fact that TwitchCon now requires attendees to wear a face mask shows that COVID has not gone away completely.