Twitch seems committed to providing a good platform for creators to create and for fans to watch and support their favorite streamers. With the recent partnership between Amazon and Twitch, simply having an Amazon Prime subscription (Which a lot of people have at this point due to the huge savings and expediency boosts with shipping) allows you to support one of your favorite streamers. Twitch hasn’t released any numbers on the amount of Twitch Prime members, but there’s no doubt that streamers are enjoying some subscriptions that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. In a recent email to select partners, Twitch revealed a new system of subscription “tiers” that allow fans to easily provide more monetary support for their favorite partners.
This excerpt from an email posted on the neoGAF forums gives us a few more details on what exactly we can expect from the new service.
“Later this month, your community will have the choice of subscribing to your channel with two new options: $9.99 and $24.99. These new subscriptions are part of our constant push to improve your experience and help make it easier to earn a steady income on Twitch. We’re offering extensive first-party support to help make new subscriptions better for your community. Any viewer purchasing any first-time sub will now be able to send a custom message. You’ll also be able to offer coveted exclusive emotes for higher-priced subscriptions, which let fans show off their commitment to your channel. Finally, you’ll have access to more data to power the tools and overlays you use to reward your subscribers.”
So it looks like a $9.99 and $24.99 subscription option will soon be available with your favorite streamers. While these tiers will likely not offer any real benefits beyond the standard $5 dollar tier, it makes it easier to consistently provide greater support to the entertainers you like the best.
I know I personally will probably not take advantage of these options, and it remains to be seen how many people will actually opt for a more expensive option with no real additional benefits. Still, there are people that dump a lot of money into supporting Twitch streamers and this option for a higher and regular monthly payment may appeal more to them.
Of course, with subscriptions, Twitch takes a 50% cut of the profits so if you really want your donation to go straight to the streamer you may be better off making a donation rather than subscribing.
There’s no word on when these subscription tiers will go live, but it should be rolling out soon given the wording of the email. Will you guys be purchasing the higher tiers? Let us know in the comments below.
Gaming
Embracer Job Losses Continue as New World Interactive is Hit

New World Interactive, the developer of the Insurgency series of tactical first-person shooters, has laid off an unknown number of employees as part of Embracer Group’s comprehensive restructuring plan.
Saber Interactive, which acquired New World in 2020, told Eurogamer that the studio had not closed. However, it confirmed an unknown number of layoffs.
Embracer says it is “actively working to fill existing open roles” with impacted employees and will provide severance packages. “Saber also assures that development will continue on Insurgency: Sandstorm, as well as on unannounced future projects,” it said.
Over 900 employees were laid off in an “agonizing” but “necessary” process. As always, we hope all victims recover.
Gaming
Sony: We Need Non-Gamers to Access Our Content

Sony wants non-console owners to access its content beyond its PlayStation-walled garden. This strategy has been slowly implemented: the company has commissioned TV and movie adaptations of its biggest franchises, ported select software to the PC, and launched a mobile gaming division.
In an interview with Nikkei, head Hideaki Nishino explained how this strategy can boost console sales: We want to use movies and dramas to get non-gamers to try PlayStation games. Sales of The Last of Us increased during the live-action drama.
When HBO’s adaptation aired, our The Last of Us content skyrocketed, so we can understand its impact. As a PlayStation fan site, we support this strategy because we want to reach as many people as possible, so if Sony can appeal to non-console owners, that’s a win-win.
More PlayStation users is better, in our opinion.
Gaming
New PS Plus Essential Game Has Great Free DLC

PowerWash Simulator is one of this month’s PS Plus Essentials, but before you start scrubbing, check out the PS Store. The game has been well supported on PS5 and PS4 with free DLC packs based on Square Enix titles since its release at the start of the year.
Free Final Fantasy VII and Tomb Raider expansions let you clean Croft Manor and Seventh Heaven. The free DLC packs add 10 levels, and the paid ones add more.
Two more Back to the Future and SpongeBob SquarePants expansions cost £6.49 or $7.99 each. You can then scrub the Bikini Bottom and the DeLorean.
The Midgar Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator was another reason to use the cleaning kit. “It doesn’t add much, but getting close to FF7’s props and environments is fun. It offers a fresh take on the beloved title that will please both sides of this collaboration.”
Have you tried the latest PS Plus Essential game?
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