Amazon has revealed that it's discontinuing the Prime Gaming brand in a message to Amazon Prime subscribers. However, users shouldn't panic, as the change won't have as big an impact on Amazon Prime Gaming subscribers as one might initially expect.
As Amazon owns livestreaming service Twitch, it has historically provided benefits to Amazon Prime subscribers for the service. Those who enjoy included services like free shipping on Amazon via Amazon Prime can also take advantage of the service to subscribe to one Twitch channel for free every month. This confers the usual benefits to the chosen streamer without taking any extra money out of the subscriber's pocket. Amazon Prime Gaming also gives subscribers access to free games monthly.
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Amazon Reveals Change to Prime Gaming
In a new release to subscribers, Amazon has revealed that the Prime Gaming brand is being retired, but that users' benefits won't be negatively impacted. According to Amazon, subscribers to the Prime service will still enjoy the same benefits they've come to expect, but it will now be incorporated into Amazon Luna, the company's cloud gaming service. Amazon reassured subscribers that users will still be able to receive one Twitch subscription per month, plus expanded emote sets, chat colors, and extended broadcast storage as they've come to expect on Twitch under Amazon Prime Gaming, with no significant differences made to how one can redeem these options. Additionally, free games will still be provided to subscribers on a monthly basis.
This change may seem familiar to long-time subscribers of Amazon Prime who have been enjoying the Twitch benefits that it confers. Back in 2020, the service underwent a similar experience, shifting from what was then referred to as Twitch Prime to the new name Amazon Prime Gaming. At the time, aside from changing the name, the main alteration was that Amazon Prime subscribers could use their benefits on Twitch without subscribing directly to the livestreaming service, by using their Amazon accounts instead. Like in that case, chances are established users won't experience any significant frustrations with this alteration.
Amazon has made significant changes to its Prime subscription over the years, adding and removing features and benefits for subscribers as it sees fit. Cutting the Twitch benefits would likely negatively impact a considerable number of streamers, so it seems unlikely that Amazon will make a change to this feature anytime soon, especially as other livestreaming platforms like Kick try to entice livestreamers to use its service instead of Amazon's.
- Brand
- Amazon
- Original Release Date
- March 1, 2022