The unethical nature of 60fps functionality on the Xbox Twitch application.

HattoriHanzo420 · Nov 4, 2021

The broadcast capabilities of the app are sparse and flawed, but the app as a whole is outdated, underdeveloped and clearly mishandled. However, the most glaring issue is that the Xbox Twitch app does not include 60fps functionality as standard, the unethical nature of this issue comes from the fact that the feature is available but only via purchasable third party software, thus making it seem as though Twitch are deliberately inhibiting the broadcast capabilities of the Xbox app to try and coerce people into this ~$10 monthly subscription to access it, all whilst sugar coating the subscription with many more features e.g. overlays, tip notifications etc.

The facts alone show that it's clearly not a hardware issue because the function is already in use via the third-party software, compound this with the fact that the feature has been freely available on the version of the app on Xbox's counterpart platform since last-gen makes it a complete travesty. The lack of 60fps functionality has seemingly been a known topic of discussion for years that many have been voicing their complaints about with no acknowledgment from the powers that be, but posts I've seen don't even draw attention the ethics of the regularly promoted third-party software. It's difficult to see this as not just tarnishing the reputation of Twitch but also Xbox/Microsoft, for there not to be some sort of precedent or persistence on adding this basic functionality is truly a farce,

:)

HattoriHanzo420

"Why is this unethical?"

60fps functionality has been freely available on the standard PlayStation app since last-gen.
By not including the functionality Twitch are presumably inhibiting the development of the Xbox app as a way to coerce subscriptions.
Xbox/Microsoft aren't pushing for the functionality to be added, nor are they acknowledging peoples voiced concerns that've been ongoing for years.
At the very least, Twitch and Xbox only allow this particular third-party software to be compatible with the app, they're also advertising the third-party software on most official posts/articles that explain how to broadcast via the Twitch Xbox app,

Most of this is stated in my initial post, this is clearly an unethical scenario.

Farscape247

that maybe the issue on console but i use twitch via pc and there are no such paywalls for 60fps streaming, either using obs or twitch's very own studio software which is absolutely free.

twitch did not bother updating the app too much on the Xbox due to the way Microsoft shoe horned in their own streaming service.

twitch was the original app on Xbox one for streaming then Microsoft changed the OS and banged in there useless platform for streaming (which shut down not long ago) and side-lined the twitch app, what incentive did twitch have to update the console app. none.

Shaggy2000

Why is this "unethical"?

Many streaming services lock features behind paywalls, Netflix only broadcasts HDR on the most expensive subscriptions and even locks HD streams behind the middle tier plan, You Tube removes adverts only when you subscribe.

If you cant or wont pay for the subscription then that's fine, but don't say its unethical.

HattoriHanzo420

Well said, the rise and subsequent fall of Mixer certainly didn't help with Twitch's incentive to develop the app. However, people have been voicing their concerns over the lack of 60fps functionality on the Twitch app long before the "Mixer experiment", the issue of the functionality being available with this paid subscription to third-party software is not even discussed though, that's my point of concern.

ScumbagOrchid

TCG Natural, and Tcgwashere on twitch.

The unethical nature of 60fps functionality on the Xbox Twitch application.