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Twitch And Blizzard Team Up In Esports Collaboration
Today, Twitch and Blizzard Entertainment announced a two-year worldwide partnership. The deal includes third-party live streaming rights to select Blizzard esports content and special game content for Twitch Prime subscribers.
Twitch is acquiring the third-party streaming-platform rights to an assortment of Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Overwatch esports content. The deal, running through 2018, supports the competitive sphere of Blizzard's esports properties including the following programs:
- Heroes of the Storm Global Championship (HGC)
- StarCraft II World Championship Series (WCS Circuit)
- Hearthstone Championship Tour (HCT)
- Hearthstone Global Games (HGG)
- World of Warcraft Arena Championship
- Overwatch APEX League
- Overwatch Premier Series
Blizzard is providing special in-game loot and deals to Twitch Prime members for Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm. Beginning June 20 and running through August 10, current and new Twitch Prime members will receive a Golden Loot Box for Overwatch, containing one guaranteed legendary item along with three other additional in-game emotes, voice lines, or character skins. Players can learn more here. Similar promotions for Heroes of the Storm and Hearthstone players begin later this year.
Our Take
This is significant news for Twitch Prime members, Blizzard fans, and the gaming community at large. The development of this partnership likely signifies a growing trend of competitive gaming collaborations, ultimately determining the direction esports will take in the coming years. Although this deal only runs through 2018, look to see similar agreements being struck, dependent on the success of this one.
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