Twitch launches Indie Amplifier program

Twitch is launching a new program designed to boost the popularity of indie games on the livestreaming platform.

The program, named Indie Amplifier, will allow Twitch Prime members to vote for an indie game before March 11. On March 15, all voters will recieve a free copy of the winning game. Twitch has also collaborated with production company N3rdfusion to create a talk show which features Twitch streamers SimCopter1 and DizzyKitten streaming the title, while members of N3rdfusion, Giantwaffle and Bacon_Donut will interview the developers of the title.

It’s not just good for exposure, either. Developers of the top three games will share a $175,000 prize, which is a real boost for indie developers.

The games up for voting are below:

Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation (BKOM Studios)

Tumblestone (The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild)

Treadnauts (Topstitch Games)

High Hell (Terri Vellmann)

I, Hope (Arconyx Studios)

Shadow Tactics (Mimimi Productions)

Kingsway (Andrew Morrish)

SteamWorld Dig 2 (Image & Form)

Twitch are hoping that this program creates a bigger scene for indie games on the streaming platform. Because of the way Twitch’s viewership works, rewarding streamers for getting the biggest possible number of eyes on the platform, most streamers stick to blockbusters, or titles in their own specific niche that are reliable audience draws.

It’s a smart idea from Twitch, although its success will largely depend on whether this push towards the indie hits a chord with the platform’s audience.