Twitch has announced the rollout of vertical broadcasts, enhancing the viewing experience for both computer and mobile device users. This new feature, termed “Dual Format,” will become available next month and coincides with the launch of 2K streaming for partners and affiliates. According to the company’s official statement, mobile users will be able to watch full-screen vertical broadcasts optimized for their devices, while PC users will have access to the classic horizontal format. The vertical mode on smartphones will offer an option to switch to the traditional split screen, as well as automatically shift to horizontal full-screen mode when the device is rotated.
To optimize the load on streamers’ equipment, Twitch will introduce server-side transcoding support, accessible to partners and most affiliates. Alongside the rollout of 2K resolution (1440p), the maximum allowable bitrate will increase to 9 Mbps for 1440p and 7.5 Mbps for 1080p.
Other feature updates include:
– Concise stream summaries enabling viewers to quickly catch up on missed content;
– The addition of GIF animations in chat, available to Tier 2 and Tier 3 subscribers;
– AI-driven automatic clip creation, highlighting key moments from broadcasts;
– Automatic subtitles for community-created clips;
– A highlights reel within broadcast summaries, facilitating their sharing via Twitch stories.
To recap, the virtual streamer Neuro-sama, who conducts continuous gameplay broadcasts and interacts with viewers without human involvement, recently topped the Twitch rankings for the most paid subscriptions.