Home > Articles > Home & Office Computing > Entertainment/Gaming/Gadgets

A First Look at Twitch for Xbox One

One of the most wildly popular apps for Xbox One is Twitch. Twitch is a video-streaming app that allows you to watch others as they play various games. By doing so, you can gain insight into various game related tips and tricks. Learn how to acquire, deploy, and use Twitch on the Xbox One.
Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

One of the most popular apps for Xbox One is Twitch,  a multi-platform app that allows gamers to either broadcast their game play to the world or to watch other game broadcasts. Twitch is so popular  that over 45 million gamers a month use Twitch and there are tens of thousands of broadcast channels available to watch.

User Requirements

Before you will be able to use Twitch, you need an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Currently, an Xbox Live Gold subscription costs $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year. Both subscription plans are re-billed automatically, but can be canceled at any time.

You will also need Internet connectivity. Twitch provides live feeds from the Internet, so constant and reliable connectivity is an absolute requirement.

Another thing that you need to know about Twitch is that it is multi-platform. As such, the broadcast content is not Xbox One specific. In fact, you aren’t likely to see any Xbox One broadcasts for a while (more on that later). The broadcasts currently come from sources such as Xbox 360, Play Station, PCs, and other gaming consoles.

How is Twitch Useful?

Twitch is probably most useful as a tool for learning more about specific games. For example, suppose that you are stuck in a game and are having trouble making it to the next level. There is probably a video on Twitch that shows you what you need to do. Similarly, Twitch videos might show you game features that you didn’t know existed, such as hidden levels or cheat codes.

The really cool thing about using Twitch on Xbox One is that Xbox One supports Snap, which lets you do two things at once on the same screen. As such, it is theoretically possible to watch a Twitch video pertaining to a particular game, while you are actually playing the game yourself.

Installing and Launching Twitch

To install the Twitch app, you must begin by signing in to your Xbox Live Gold account. After doing so, go to the Xbox home screen. Next, click the My Games and Apps tile and then click on the Store tile, followed by the Apps tile.

The easiest way to locate the Twitch app is to click on the Search Apps option and then search for Twitch. Once Twitch has been located, click on the Twitch tile and then click on Get it Free. At this point, you will see a message stating that the transaction is subject to Xbox Live terms of use and any additional terms. When this happens, click Confirm. Twitch will now be installed.

Once the Twitch app is installed, it is simple to launch the app. Begin by making sure that you are signed into your Xbox Live Gold account. Next, go to the Xbox home screen and click on the Your Games and Apps tile, followed by the Twitch tile.

As an alternative, you can use Kinect to verbally launch Twitch simply by saying “Xbox, go to Twitch.”

Using the Twitch Interface

The Twitch interface is relatively simple. The main screen features three primary options including:

  •    Games – This is the place that you go to locate videos related to a particular game. You can either browse a series of titles corresponding to various games, or you can search for a specific game. When you click on a game you can see the channels related to that game. Clicking on a channel allows you to view the channel.
  •     Featured Channels – As the name implies, Featured Channels are channels that are being promoted by Twitch.
  •     Top Channels – Clicking on Top Channels allows you to see a list of the most popular Twitch channels. You can click on any of these channels to view them.

Earning Achievements

Xbox has long given gamers the ability to earn achievements that they can use to gain a bit of status in the gaming community. Believe it or not however, you can also earn achievements through Twitch for watching videos. Think of it as a couch potato achievement.

Some of the achievements that you can earn through Twitch include:

  •     Night Owl Achievement – For those who stayed up all night watching Twitch
  •     Standing Room Only Achievement – You can get this achievement by watching a stream that attracts 100,000 or more people.
  •     The Hipster Achievement – You can get this one by watching a stream where less than ten people are tuned in.

In case you are wondering, the ability to earn achievements is unique to the Xbox One edition of Twitch (at least for now anyway). There are a total of ten different achievements that can currently be earned through Twitch, but that number will likely increase as the Twitch app for Xbox One matures.

So What’s Missing?

There is one big thing that is currently missing from the Xbox One version of Twitch. Currently the Twitch app is view only. In other words, Xbox Live Gold members can watch Twitch videos to their heart’s content and can earn achievements for watching those videos. However, the app does not currently support broadcasting your own game play. This functionality is expected to be added at some point in 2014.

In the meantime, all is not lost. Some of the games that are available for Xbox One have been released on alternative platforms, such as PS4 or even Xbox 360. As such, you will probably be able to find videos for the game that you are interested in, even if the content isn’t Xbox One specific.

Conclusion

For now, the Xbox One edition of the Twitch app is probably most useful for gaining insight into how to play various games. As time goes on however, Xbox One gamers will gain the ability to broadcast their own Twitch streams. That’s when the fun really starts!

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020