Disguised Toast creates a ripple effect in the streaming industry

By RENEE WANG

STAFF WRITER

  No emotes? No dark mode? Feelsbadman.

  As of recent, streamer Jeremy Wang, better known as Disguised Toast, announced his move from the well-known streaming platform, Twitch, onto a rival service, Facebook Gaming. Disguised Toast is one of the biggest streamers in Twitch, but as he and many other streamers move to rival platforms, a target demographic spreads through the gaming industry.

  Notably, Twitch is considered a monopoly in the streaming world as it is the go-to place for incoming content creators, averaging around 2.2 million streamers creating content every month. Although Facebook Gaming falls short in this area, it is the audience that provides, in literal terms, millions of opportunities. 

  While some have argued of the different user interfaces and lack of functionality that Facebook streaming provides, it is undeniable that Disguised Toast’s move to Facebook is beneficial for both the profession and the streaming community.      

 In 2017, Facebook reported having an average of 700 million users interact with gaming whether as an app promotion or playing a game itself. For a streamer, reaching one thousand daily viewers is an achievement in itself, except with Facebook Gaming’s viewership of 700 million users, there is an endless amount for a streamer to thrive.

  On one hand, it is understandable as to why so many fans contest Disguised Toast’s move. As a viewer myself, I would find it hard to adjust to a new community without all of the functions I am familiar with. Functions like “dark mode” and “emotes” are what make streaming memorable as many can recognize the certain slang and phrases that make up the streaming culture. Twitch has been around for 8 years with the well-known interface, leading regular viewers of Twitch might end up rejecting any changes.  

On the other, that does not mean Facebook Gaming cannot reach a similar prestige. Wang has shared that he has been in contact with Facebook Gaming to improve certain issues on the website, which will hopefully advocate for further diversity or variety. Not to mention, many streamers have complained about Twitch’s system and user demographics, which is most likely due to its lack of competitors that have clearly affected their incentive to improve their service. Thus, it is speculated that if Facebook Gaming is successful, Twitch will improve as a service in response.

  Overall, Disguised Toast’s decision to move is essential to streamers and viewers in the long run, as it shows streamers taking a chance to expand beyond Twitch. 

  Hopefully one day viewers will be able to spam poggers in our favorite streams on Facebook.