Just imagine what a Twitch stream will look/sound like. No music for the streamers, no music between the matches of the tournaments... We will watch and play games silently. Wonderful. Not to mention the awesome Google Ads. Twitch will be great.

Footler

United States560 Posts

May 19 2014 00:23 GMT

#43

Please no. Google has slowly become the enemy over the past several years. Using anything related to google (outside of searches) has become a pain in the ass. Please don't touch twitch

Jett.Jack.Alvir

Canada2250 Posts

May 19 2014 00:26 GMT

#44

I think a lot of people don't understand Google's decisions. Some think it's all about greed, and I would say part of it is greed. Google delivers a great product, so they control the price, which is free! They understand marketing, and have found a solution to maximize the most out of every dollar invested. The amount of data allows them to cater ads to you so specific, that the companies advertising along with the publisher, all make money.

So they found a way to print money through advertising. Not so greedy, but still an advantage for the publisher.

Some say G ruined YT, but how many know they bought YT just before bankruptcy. Before G, YT was being bombarded with lawsuits that almost put them under. After G, anyone that wanted to stay could stay. Everyone stayed. They fired no one, and took care of all the lawsuits.

So the big greedy company delivers a great free product; then saves YT from near death. And now people complain about YT having G+. In fact, I like it and I am sad they decided to stop doing that. It put accountability on the internet, which many would agree is necessary.

I know a lot of people resent Google for being such a large company, but you have to understand everytime they buy up a company, no one is ever fired. That is what they mean by doing no evil.

And as many have suggested, with Google buying up Twitch, all our favourite content developers (this includes Polt, who is fucking amazing to watch) will get rich off all those stupid ads. I hate them, but because I know it is benefiting Polt I watch some.

Now if you ask me, I want Tw to tell G to fuck off. I truly don't think Tw needs G, but I imagine if it does happen G will slowly release small changes but still try to retain the original identity of Tw.

There are pros and cons of G acquiring Tw, but I think Tw knows they have a great product. I would imagine if that number went up to $2b, Tw can't say no.

Waxangel

United States33503 Posts

May 19 2014 00:30 GMT

#45

The Wall Street Journal's story suggests the talks may be at a much more early phase, and far from a done deal like the Variety article suggests. Let's see how this unfolds.

Torte de Lini

Germany38463 Posts

May 19 2014 00:30 GMT

#46

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Google -- Always a nice reference sheet

I personally hope Twitch combines with Youtube, it's a perfect mix of a good VOD system with a good livestreaming platform.

Derez

Netherlands6068 Posts

May 19 2014 00:33 GMT

#47

Twitch sucks in so many critical areas where googles infrastructure will improve things significantly. I have no issues with this.

vult

United States9400 Posts

May 19 2014 00:34 GMT

#48

Well this isn't good...

KelsierSC

United Kingdom10443 Posts

May 19 2014 00:35 GMT

#49

awesome, everyone is down on a video monopoly but I think it might be cool, certainly helps my bookmarks etc.

Kreb

4834 Posts

May 19 2014 00:35 GMT

#50

Damn....... damn.

xuanzue

Colombia1747 Posts

May 19 2014 00:35 GMT

#51

twitch is sponsoring some events/ teams of starcraft. if google buys it, that money will go away.

and the performance of youtube in opera is atrocious.

time for more dota tv on other games.

-Kyo-

Japan1926 Posts

May 19 2014 00:36 GMT

#52

I hope the structure that was established at Twitch remains for the better of the streaming partners... Though, one thing I fear without equal is the "updates" google will bring to twitch. It is no mystery that youtube's UI has been all over the place, and imo, is only getting worse.

I pray to the cute + Show Spoiler +

FrankerZ

faces above that they approach this in a more hands off manner.

I imagine the adsense and such will increase in value, which is good for those who do this for a living. If I am not mistaken the CPM on established youtube partners is nearly double? or triple? the CPM rate of starting partners on twitch atm... which is pretttttttty good...
+ Show Spoiler +

this is based on the twitchbux i signed vs what someone with a partnership on youtube has told me about theirs. also, husky is rich son

bo1b

Australia12814 Posts

May 19 2014 00:37 GMT

#53

I hope like hell this fixes lag in australia

dcsoda

United States583 Posts

May 19 2014 00:37 GMT

#54

I'm not seeing a huge problem with this? There's other streaming services if it actually gets bad which I don't really think it will. Guess we may find out though.

Doraemon

Australia14949 Posts

May 19 2014 00:39 GMT

#55

On May 19 2014 09:34 vult wrote:
Well this isn't good...

why isn't it good?

i see plenty of advantages, especially in improving twitch's core service, which is streaming. we've all experienced that excruciating twitch lag. it will most likely help monetisation as well

PhoenixVoid

Canada32743 Posts

May 19 2014 00:39 GMT

#56

Somewhat worried about this honestly.

-Kyo-

Japan1926 Posts

May 19 2014 00:42 GMT

#57

Oh my god, I just realized... please jesus god almighty do not make us have a google+ account to watch twitch.tv................... if this happens......

I am POSITIVE 99% of the viewers who are there for fun do not want to sign up with their real name, date of birth, hospital of birth, current position on a map, mothers maiden name, credit card number, social security number, and 4 digit pin to your bank to post in the twitch chat. I can only imagine how destructive that would be to the copy pasta culture D;