Skip to main content

Get excited, gamers — Twitch is about to release a desktop app beta

twitch desktop app screen shot 2017 03 11 at 1 19 57 pm
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Just a few weeks after implementing a system that allows fans to buy games directly from Twitch, the company is making yet another announcement that is sure to leave gamers everywhere jumping for joy (or something more appropriate to the demographic). In a blog post published Friday, Brian Petrocelli, a product marketer at Twitch, revealed that the gaming platform will launch a desktop app beta on March 16. In just five short days, you’ll be able to get onto Twitch more easily than ever before.

“One of the best things about the Twitch community is the people you connect with on your journey,” Petrocelli wrote. “It’s why we are always looking for ways to make it easier to keep in touch.” And the latest way comes in the form of this desktop app, which seems to have been made possible by way of Twitch’s acquisition of Curse a few months ago. Indeed, Petrocelli noted, the Curse and Twitch teams have worked to merge the two platforms to create a unique experience, one that will help “build stronger and more meaningful connections between you, your friends, and your community.”

With the launch of the desktop app, Twitch says users will be able to create their own Twitch server that will allow them to stay in touch with the ever-growing Twitch community. Moreover, ” … we’ve made it super easy for you to import and centralize your friends from the game communities you belong to,” Twitch announced. Friends can also now be reached by way of voice and video calls, yet another new feature.

On March 16, you’ll be able to get the Twitch Desktop App by visiting download.twitch.tv. And remember how we mentioned up top that you could buy games directly from Twitch? You can now download them directly from the desktop app, too. If you thought you had trouble dragging yourself away from Twitch before, things might’ve just gotten a lot harder.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Netflix games may be coming to TVs soon, as revealed by new iOS app
Selecting a game in Netflix Games.

It looks like Netflix might be expanding its gaming offerings to TVs soon, as a Netflix Game Controller is now on the iOS App Store. Netflix has yet to announce or comment on the purpose of the app, but a message shown when the app boots up confirms that it's coming.
Netflix has slowly made its way into the gaming industry over the past couple of years, acquiring studios and adding a dedicated game section to its mobile app that lets players download premium mobile games. The library includes some great games like Poinpy and Before Your Eyes, but has yet to break into the mainstream, likely due to its somewhat obscure availability. This new app, which was preemptively listed on Apple's storefront by Netflix and lines up with leaks from earlier this year, indicates that Netflix Games are coming to the TV.
The description for the app states that "this Game Controller app pairs with your TV and allows you to play games on Netflix using your phone or mobile device." After downloading and booting up the app, Digital Trends discovered two more messages asking players to "choose a game on your TV and follow the directions to connect" and that "Netflix Games on TV are in beta. Some devices may not be supported at this time."
All of this points to an impending beta rollout for games on Netflix's TV apps, which has not been announced yet. As such, we don't have any idea about which televisions or games the iOS app or Netflix Games on TV will support just yet. Regardless, this looks like a massive evolution for Netflix's gaming efforts, especially as it gears up to release a cloud gaming service.
Netflix declined to comment on the program when asked by Digital Trends, but it did refer us to previous statements it made about its intentions to break into cloud and TV game streaming.

Read more
Sonic Superstars is getting a Lego DLC, but game still has no release date
LEGO Sonic faces down Eggman in Sonic Superstars.

Sonic Superstars still doesn't have a firm release date, but Sega revealed a new tidbit about the game today. The retro throwback will receive a Lego-themed DLC, though its not fully clear what the expansion entails just yet.

Sonic Central - June 23rd, 2023

Read more
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 finally gets its fall release date at Summer Game Fest
Spider-Man Peter Parker and Miles Morales fighting Kraven and henchmen

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 officially has a release date. During the Summer Game Fest, Insomniac Games revealed that the game is scheduled to release on October 20 as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. The stream also featured a few new details about the game, including new information about its villains.

Spider-Man 2 recently appeared at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, so it wasn't surprising that there wasn't any new footage at the Summer Game Fest. However, Insomniac presented new concept art, including one with Peter Parker and Miles Morales fighting side by side and another with the two Spider-Mans fighting Venom.

Read more