Elden Ring Streamers Banned From Receiving Donations
FromSoftware has banned Japanese Twitch streamers from receiving tips while streaming Elden Ring. The open-world epic, which finally launched on February 25, makes an excellent subject for streaming due to its difficulty and open-ended nature. Fun concepts like an Elden Ring Twitch stream using Ring Fit Adventure controls have the potential to build a community around the game, but many streamers in Japan are becoming frustrated by a restrictive FromSoftware policy.
Dating back to 2009's Demon's Souls, FromSoftwarehas built a library of difficult action role-playing games. The soulslike titles are packed with uncompromising level design and relentless boss fights, forcing players to learn each title's mechanics or die trying. Elden Ring expands this formula to a grand scale, with gamers scouring the massive Lands Between for new areas to pillage and new enemies to face. These qualities make FromSoftware's newest venture a perfect game to stream, since each player will create a unique experience by approaching challenges differently. Recently Ludwig streamed Elden Ring for four days, with the popular Twitch streamer only taking breaks to eat, sleep and record a podcast.
According to a report by Dexerto, FromSoftware has banned Twitch streamers in Japan from receiving donations during Elden Ring streams. Tipping allows viewers to help support their favorite streamers, but new guidelines prohibit streamers from monetizing Elden Ring for their own gain. This creates confusion for streamers like Yuu Asakawa (via Twitter), since it is impossible for streamers to disable tips on the platform. This means that viewers, either unknowingly or to disrupt the stream, can send tips during Elden Ring streams despite warnings from the streamer. In response, many Japanese streamers have moved to YouTube to stream Elden Ring without the risk of receiving donations.
While Elden Ring is an excellent source of entertaining Twitch streams, this excitement sometimes comes from an unexpected source. Famous streamer xQc encountered an Elden Ring glitch while playing the game shortly after launch, with the technical issue leading to an unfair death. xQc approached and attacked a Giant Land Octopus, but immediately fled from the creature after seeing its enormous health pool. Unfortunately, the streamer's attempt to mount the spectral steed Torrent left him floating helplessly in mid-air, allowing the tentacled monstrosity to easily kill him.
Elden Ring is a perfect source for surprising and engaging Twitch streams, making FromSoftware's ban on donations particularly disappointing. It is unclear why this restriction only applies to Japanese streamers, especially when Twitch lacks an option for streamers to disable tips. The situation is still uncertain, however, with Japanese streamers apparently allowed to monetize gameplay that is substantially altered from its original state.
Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Sources: Dexerto, Yuu Asakawa/Twtter