Loneliness, streamer relationships and how Twitch helps - Roselyn, a Twitch fan's perspective

Roselyn's Twitch journey started with the UK internetainment giants that are the Yogscast. But, over the last few years her viewing habits and needs have changed, which has driven her more towards smaller, tightnit communities to satisfy her desire to have more intimate relationships with the streamers she watches.

Does that mean she is looking for friendships through Twitch? Not exactly. Although some friendships have arrisen from her participation in these online communities, she has real life friends to satisfy that need.

What has come of it, especially though lockdowns, is a way to feel connected to people, to have more people to share video gaming interests with and to find people to look up to.

As Twitch doesn't offer the "edit filter" that other platforms like YouTube do, the fact that these streamers are often live for hours a day and you can get a better sense of their true self, those factors has given Rosleyn a coping mechanism to help her herself through lonely spells - often aggerated, if not caused by her body dysmorphia.

Twitch has offered a way in which Roselyn, who is trans, can be her true self without much fear of judgement and has even learned a trick or two in the candid nature of Twitch, things like makeup hints from one of her favourite streamers, QueenE.