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China bans games streaming platform Twitch

The ban comes after the site experienced a popularity spike

China bans games streaming platform Twitch

Twitch users based in China can no longer access the streaming platform.

The site experienced a huge surge of users inside mainland China this week and now both the desktop client and mobile app are both completely inaccessible.

China's crackdown continues

The surge in users was caused by gaming fans tuning in to watch esports coverage at this year's Asian Games, as that section of the event was not broadcast on China's state broadcaster CCTV.

This is the first time that esports have been part of an international event, and so Chinese citizens were disappointed with the lack of coverage, tuning in to Twitch to see the action firsthand. China took home two gold medals in both the Arena of Valor and League of Legends tournaments.

Our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz has the full story.


Editor

Danielle Partis is editor of PocketGamer.biz and former editor of InfluencerUpdate.biz. She was named Journalist of the Year at the MCV Women in Games Awards 2019, as well as in the MCV 30 under 30 2020. Prior to Steel Media, she wrote about music and games at Team Rock.