Twitch App Discontinued on Nintendo Switch

Article Key Points

Twitch will be ending support for the Nintendo Switch on January 31, 2024, and will be delisted from the Nintendo eShop on November 6, 2023.

Twitch's closure on the Switch is happening amidst increasing competition in the streaming realm, with streamers shifting to platforms such as YouTube and Kick. The platform has encountered backlash due to permanent bans imposed on popular creators, although it has recently rescinded some significant bans in an attempt to maintain its competitiveness in the streaming industry.

Twitch has announced that it will cease support for its streaming platform on the Nintendo Switch, resulting in users losing access at the end of January. Despite Twitch's expansion onto various platforms, including major consoles and even the PlayStation Vita, the popular streaming platform will soon no longer be available on the Nintendo Switch. While the console has gained popularity, it has had a mixed history with streaming services, with Hulu and Crunchyroll being available on the eShop, but Netflix and Max still missing. Twitch had been accessible on the Switch for almost two years, with its official launch in late 2021, but support for the Switch version is now being discontinued.

An update on Twitch's help website for the Nintendo Switch page discloses that the streaming platform will soon be discontinued on Switch. Within the following week, Twitch will be officially removed from the Nintendo eShop and delisted from the online store on November 6. Furthermore, Twitch has confirmed that users who have already downloaded the app on their Switch will no longer have access to Twitch's streaming service starting from January 31 of the coming year. No explanation has been provided by Twitch regarding the discontinuation of its Switch app.

When is the Twitch App Shutting Down on Nintendo Switch?

Twitch will be delisted from the Nintendo eShop on November 6, 2023. Existing Twitch apps on Switch will have their service shut down on January 31, 2024.

Twitch's decision to shut down the Switch version is a response to growing competition in the streaming industry. YouTube and Kick have gained popularity recently, with streamer Cr1tikal opting to stream on YouTube and former Twitch streamers joining Kick. Notable Twitch talents like xQc and Amouranth have signed with Kick in recent months. Additionally, Twitter has announced its livestreaming initiative, including plans to introduce game streaming capabilities.

Facing tough competition, Twitch has started reconsidering some of its previous decisions. The platform has a history of issuing permabans, permanently suspending popular creators such as Dr. Disrespect and Adin Ross. However, Twitch recently reversed its decision on IShowSpeed, a popular creator who was banned from the platform nearly two years ago. This reversal of major bans is aimed at giving Twitch a competitive edge in the modern streaming industry.

Editor's P/S

1. Twitch's decision to discontinue its app on the Nintendo Switch is disappointing but not entirely surprising. The streaming landscape has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with platforms like YouTube and Kick emerging as serious rivals to Twitch. In order to stay ahead of the curve, Twitch has had to make some tough decisions, including ending support for less popular platforms like the Switch. While this may be a blow to Switch owners who enjoy watching Twitch streams, it is ultimately a necessary step for Twitch to remain competitive in the long run.

2. It will be interesting to see how Twitch responds to the growing competition in the streaming industry. The platform has already started to make some changes, such as reversing its decision to ban popular creators like IShowSpeed. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to keep Twitch on top. One thing is for sure, though: the streaming wars are far from over.