The Amazon-owned platform experiments with TikTok-style content to compete in the short-form video race
Twitch Dips Into the Vertical Video Game
Twitch is officially testing vertical video streaming, marking a significant expansion from its traditional horizontal, long-form livestreaming format. The change was first announced during TwitchCon Rotterdam, and recent app research confirms that alpha tests are now underway with a handful of streamers.
- AppSensa, a market intelligence firm, discovered the feature in a recent Twitch app build.
- The test includes a vertical theater mode, new UI elements, and toggling between classic and vertical formats.
A New Look for Twitch Livestreams
While Twitch has long dominated gaming livestreaming, it’s now taking cues from TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
- The vertical format could help streamers reach new audiences, particularly mobile-first users.
- Permission requests for camera and mic suggest creators will stream vertically directly from mobile devices.
- When users first encounter the feature, they’ll be shown a dialog explaining that “vertical video is here” and that the view can be switched at any time.
A Quiet Rollout — for Now
The test remains limited, with only a few creators currently involved.
- AppSensa’s research found only minimal code references, suggesting a very early alpha phase.
- Twitch confirmed that testing began in summer and will expand to more users later in the year.
During TwitchCon, the company also revealed plans to test dual-format streaming and 2K resolution support, hinting at a broader effort to diversify both content types and technical quality on the platform.
Competing for Attention in a Short-Form World
By adding vertical video, Twitch joins a growing list of platforms trying to capture mobile-first audiences and shorter attention spans.
- TikTok’s rapid growth has prompted legacy platforms like YouTube and Instagram to build dedicated vertical video ecosystems.
- Twitch’s entry into this space could provide streamers with new content formats, better discoverability, and more casual viewing experiences.
Still, the platform must balance innovation with its core gaming audience, who value long-form interaction and community-building.
