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Twitch will add app to PlayStation in October; HTML5 and video uploads in 2016

TwitchCon kicked off with a number of major announcements regarding the Twitch service, centering around new features set to hit in the coming months.

Ozzie Mejia

September 25, 2015 11:47 AM

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This morning kicked off the inaugural TwitchCon in San Francisco, CA. The opening keynote celebrated the Twitch platform and its users, but also announced some new features set to hit in the coming months. These features are set to come to Twitch, as well as some of its partners.

The biggest change to Twitch itself looks to be a full rollout of the HTML5 video player as an alternative to the rapidly-declining Flash software. Select broadcasters currently have access to HTML5 interface already, but all users will see the new player in early 2016. A simpler interface also means the ability to upload videos directly to Twitch without needing to stream first, allowing for pre-made video clips to hit the Twitch sphere, which brings the service on par with its biggest competitor, YouTube Gaming. This feature is also set to arrive in early 2016.

While PlayStation users have been able to stream directly to Twitch from the DualShock 4, there has not actually been a dedicated Twitch app, like the one seen on Xbox platforms and various set-top box players. That is about to change, as all PlayStation platforms (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation TV) are in line to receive an official Twitch app. Look for that to arrive in October.

Finally, the streamers themselves will get a little assistance in the form of new software called Gameshow. This cross-platform production software offers up graphic templates, editing tools, green screen technology, and interactive widgets to allow users to better build their audience. No word on when GameShow will be made available. (Update: GameShow is being launched today and will available at a subscription rate of $8.99 for one month, $23.99 for three months, or $90.99 for a full year. More information can be found on the GameShow website.)

TwitchCon will continue throughout the weekend. Shacknews will endeavor to stay on top of any announcements to come out of this year's show.

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?