Patcay.com – Shocking news comes from game streaming platform Twitch. After operating for several years, Twitch announced that it will close its services in South Korea on February 27, 2024.
This decision was made after considering various factors, including high operating costs and fierce competition from local platforms.
Reasons for Closing Twitch in South Korea
- High Operating Costs: One of the main factors for Twitch’s closure in South Korea is the high operating costs. Network costs in South Korea are known to be 10 times more expensive compared to other countries. This led to considerable financial losses for Twitch.
- Intense Competition: Local streaming platforms in South Korea, such as AfreecaTV and KakaoTV, are strong competitors to Twitch. These platforms offer features and content more suited to the tastes of South Korean audiences, making Twitch less desirable.
- Decline in Users: Due to high operating costs and fierce competition, Twitch saw a decline in the number of active users in South Korea. This worsened Twitch’s financial situation and further strengthened the decision to close the service.
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Impact of Twitch Closure on the South Korean Gaming Community
The closure of Twitch will have a significant impact on the gaming community in South Korea. Streamers who depend on Twitch for their income will have to find new platforms to broadcast their content.
In addition, South Korean audiences will lose access to a variety of international gaming content that was previously available on Twitch.
The Future of Game Streaming in South Korea
While Twitch’s closure is disappointing news, it also opens up opportunities for local streaming platforms to thrive. These platforms can take advantage of this opportunity to attract more streamers and viewers, as well as develop content that better suits the tastes of the South Korean market.
What can South Korean streamers and viewers do?
Streamers who were previously active on Twitch can switch to local streaming platforms such as AfreecaTV and KakaoTV. They can also explore other global streaming platforms, such as YouTube Gaming and Facebook Gaming.
South Korean viewers can continue to support their favorite streamers by following them on new platforms. They can also explore local streaming platforms to find interesting gaming content.
The closure of Twitch in South Korea is a significant event in the game streaming industry. While this decision raises many questions and concerns, it also opens up new opportunities for local streaming platforms to grow and meet the needs of the South Korean gaming community.