The Nintendo Switch is a versatile and popular gaming platform. But, one thing that most probably didn’t expect it was used for is for Twitch. Now, Nintendo is finally ending support for the feature, or specifically, for its app on the device. The decision comes after an evaluation of the app’s performance and utility, leading Twitch to conclude that its presence on the Switch platform was too niche to maintain.
On the Twitch app’s help page, a notice reveals that the app will no longer be available for download from the Nintendo eShop starting November 6. Moreover, those who have already installed the app will find themselves unable to access it after January 31, 2024. This announcement, confirmed through emails sent to users, signifies the end of Twitch’s stint on the Nintendo console, albeit a stint fraught with limitations and user complaints.
The Twitch app’s functionality on the Switch was, from the outset, marred by significant constraints. Although it allowed users to search for creators and watch streams on a larger screen when the console was docked, it lacked any form and kind of integral feature. Users can’t even access the chat directly through the app, a big part of the Twitch experience, thus forcing them to use a “companion experience” on their smartphones. This cumbersome process involved scanning a QR code with another device to participate in the chat. Additionally, the app did not support direct subscriptions to streamers, nor could it stream games from the Switch, a capability present on other major consoles.
In an official statement, a Twitch spokesperson expressed regret over the decision, acknowledging the support Switch’s fanbase has shown to Twitch and its streamers. However, the spokesperson didn’t clarify if the limitations resulted from the Switch’s hardware capabilities or Nintendo’s policies. Nintendo’s proprietary approach to apps, such as a resistance to integrating Discord and promoting its Online app for chat functions, may have contributed to these restrictions.
Despite the app’s limitations, its removal might not significantly impact Switch community, given its underperformance and restricted features. Interestingly, this development coincides with rumors suggesting that Nintendo is preparing a sequel to the Switch console, potentially launching as early as 2024. With major publishers reportedly briefed on the new hardware, it remains to be seen if Twitch and other major app developers will have a role in the upcoming console. The prospect of Twitch receiving full support in the upcoming hardware could offer a redemptive arc for the streaming service within the Nintendo ecosystem.
However, the Switch, primarily used for gaming, has only a handful of consumer-oriented apps like YouTube, Hulu, and Crunchyroll available in its eShop. The Twitch app, despite its promises of a flexible viewing experience, fell short in its promise to deliver a comprehensive Twitch experience compared to other platforms. With even third-party programs outperforming the official app in functionality, Twitch’s decision to withdraw support from the Switch might not come as a surprise to many. Most users tend to access Twitch through their PCs or mobile phones, and the app’s underwhelming performance on the Switch did little to encourage its adoption on the console.
The discontinuation of Twitch on the Switch underscores a broader issue with the streaming service’s presence on non-PC platforms. Users have expressed frustrations with Twitch’s user experience across various devices, citing difficulties even with basic functions like navigating through a video-on-demand. The lack of support for platforms like Roku and the removal from the Switch have driven some users towards alternative streaming services like YouTube, which they find to be less cumbersome.
With anticipation building around a potential new Nintendo console, the opportunity for improved app support and a more integrated streaming experience remains a hopeful prospect for gamers and streamers alike.
