Twitch To Start Selling Games, First Titles For Sale Announced

Live streaming service Twitch is expected to launch its retail program where viewers can directly purchase games from broadcasters this week.

TechCrunch reports that Twitch’s Games Commerce program is slated to launch around tomorrow to the end of the week. The program, which was officially announced in late February, notably represents Twitch’s first major move into the retail space, where it’ll go head-to-head with market leaders like Steam.

Read: Twitch Adds Pulse, A Social Media-Like Feed For Streamers To Engage With Fans

Twitch’s retail partners include developers and publishers like Ubisoft, Telltale Games and Trion Worlds. Via TechCrunch, the Twitch store’s game list will have around 50 games at launch and includes titles like Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Telltale’s The Walking Dead episodic series and indie games like Firewatch.

Read: Twitch Launches Desktop App For Live Streaming

Twitch also plans to use exclusives to encourage users to buy games directly from its retail front. For purchases of more than $4.99, Twitch will bundle in Twitch Crates, which will include digital content like exclusive badges and emote options. Down the road, the Crates could also include other exclusive community items and in-store discounts.

The pending launch of Twitch’s retail program is among several new investments and programs from the streaming service. Twitch has bolstered its offerings to users within the past few months, launching services like its desktop app and social networking feed Pulse. The retail space is similarly uncharted space for Twitch, but with its sizable user base and a potential revenue stream, the service hopes to make a bet that’ll pay off for its long-term future.