Twitch.tv is a streaming service, that allows content creators to play videogames while interacting with fans in real time. The platform was bought by Amazon in the summer of 2014 for just under 1 billion dollars.

Streamers who are popular enough, receive the option to partner with twitch.  This allows die-hard fans the ability to subscribe to this streamer. A subscriber typically pays $5 a month (the streamer splits this 3/2 with twitch) to receive additional features, such as custom emoticons in the chat.

On top of money made from subscriptions, streamers also get ad revenue and direct donations from viewers.

This is all well and good, but it poses an interesting conundrum . The top streamers on twitch are pro players, former pro players, and content creators with strong personalities.  Focusing on the pros and former pros, there becomes a dilemma.

That is: What’s going to make more money?

Sure, winning world championships is going to result in high prize pools, but is it worth the effort?

Surely you can’t practice at the highest level, while also maintaining a high twitch following and subscriber count. We’ve seen this result in players retiring from professional play, just to stream (and meme) full time.

It’s a very different situation from normal sports.  You’d never see LeBron James or Kevin Durant retiring from basketball, just to play at the park for people to pay and watch.

Twitch is a platform that is great for both sides. As it allows for the viewer to either be entertained or learn a trick or two, and it allows the streamer to make some big bucks at the same time.