Twitch streamers are taking part in a blackout as people are being asked to forgo streaming to stand in solidarity with those who are claiming to have been abused and sexually harassed by streamers on the service.
This blackout, which is trending on Twitter with the hashtag #TwitchBlackOut, seems to have completely divided the community with some streamers pledging to go offline and others saying they will stream to spread awareness of the blackout and allegations.
The movement is centred around claims that some streamers who are Twitch Partners – who have access to special platform features for monetisation – and affiliates are using the platform to specifically abuse women.
There is also a huge concern about racism, homophobia and transphobia that users claim goes unchecked by Twitch and huge streamers, which the blackout also hopes to shine a spotlight on.
Streamers and fans are now calling on Twitch and its CEO Emmett Shear to do more. Twitch has since issued a statement responding to the claims of sexual harassment and abuse: "We take accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct extremely seriously", reads the tweet. "We are actively looking into the accounts concerning streamers affiliated with Twitch and will work with law enforcement where applicable".
Mr Shear has also published some internal Twitch emails about the issue: "As many of you are aware, over the weekend people from across the gaming industry came forward to share their accounts of sexual misconduct, harassment and assault," reads the email.
"Some of those accounts named Twitch-affiliated individuals, including Partners, Affiliates, business partners and others. I want to assure you all that we are looking into all the incidents and will be taking action".
Despite this, a lot of people don't think enough is being done, or that it is not being taken seriously enough, which is why they have now called for the blackout to happen today, June 24.
The Standard Online has reached out to Twitch for a comment.
It seems like the #MeToo movement for video games is still ongoing, with more and more people bravely coming forward with their own stories of abuse.
Earlier this week, Insomniac Games – makers of the popular PS4 Spider-Man game – also came under fire, with former colleagues claiming they were sexually harassed during their time with the company.
Insomniac has since responded to the allegations, stating in a series of tweets: "We were aware of the allegations made in a former employee's tweets today and had taken numerous steps to address them. For legal and privacy reasons we will not respond to individual allegations about specific former employees."
"We are a workplace family that has actively promoted diversity, inclusion, representation and equality for our entire existence. We will continue to do so every single day".
The Standard Online has also contacted Insomniac for a comment regarding the allegations of sexual abuse.
