Valorant, Riot Games' upcoming online multiplayer shooter, is already making waves while only being in closed beta. Not only are thousands ofValorantclosed beta participants building hype for the upcoming game, but those wanting into theValorantclosed beta have forced Twitch to rewrite its rules due to a recent controversy. Twitch, which had been providingValorantaccess from a complex drop system, now considers inactive 24/7 streams meant to draw in viewers for drops a bannable offense.
For those unfamiliar,Valorantfeatures a drop system onTwitch for closed beta keys. Viewers that watchValorantfor several hours will be entered into the pool where Riot picks its next closed beta invitees. Watching moreValorantincreases the odds of being picked, but only by small and diminishing amounts. The result is “24/7” streams, streams that play recordings ofValorantwhen streamers are AFK but keep their streams online. These 24/7 streams drew in thousands of viewers hoping to get into theValorantClosed Beta.
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Once 24/7 streams began to grow in popularity, routinely toppingValorant’s most-watch streams, other streamers started publically complaining. 24/7 streams would draw off a lot of viewers from other, active live streamers, nevermind trick newValorantfans into watching old footage. Needless to say,Twitchtook the matter much more seriously after streamers grew frustrated.
Twitch’s new rules don’t specifically referenceValorantor its 24/7 streams, but the relationship is clear. The new rule reads “Cheating a Twitch rewards system (such as Drops or channel points systems)” is now a prohibited activity. The extent of the rule and the severity of the punishment will only be known once bans start rolling out.
While the practice of running 24/7 streams might now be ending, a lot of streamers made a lot of money with the practice. One streamer, Anomaly, is said to have climbed up to 50,000 subs by using the 24/7 stream gimmick. His stream still touts theValorantdrops, but now he’s only doing 12-hour streams.
Riot Gamesis perhaps the biggest winner of the whole controversy, though. Regardless of how many people are watching aValorantTwitch streamer or how long they watch, Riot’s still rolling out closed beta invites at the exact pace it chooses to. Meanwhile,Valorantviewership numbers are incredibly impressive. Altogether, the controversy worked out pretty well for all parties involved.
