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Creative FAQ

Last Updated: May 25, 2017 11:37AM PDT

Twitch Creative FAQ

Learn all about Twitch Creative and find the answers you need!

Notice an error or have feedback for this article? Let us know!
We have put together this FAQ to answer some of your questions, and we will add to it over time. This includes certain approved use cases for Twitch Creative, as well as some examples of what is and what is not allowed.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  
  • Q. What is Twitch Creative?
    • A. Broadcasters can share the process of making their creations on Twitch Creative. For a non exhaustive list of approved examples, you can look below under “Examples of what you can broadcast” section.
       
  • Q. Wait, I thought Twitch was about games?
    • A. Our commitment to gaming remains unchanged. Twitch Creative does not come at the expense of all the awesome gaming channels and events that are supported. We are pursuing this expansion because we think bringing artists and gamers together will make both even better. Demonstrating that gamers are valuable to artists and the wider creative world is important for the future growth of Twitch and the larger gaming industry.
       
  • Q. How does this affect the Community Guidelines which previously prohibited some of this content?
    • A. We have updated our Community Guidelines to officially support the Creative community on Twitch. These new policies are based on the content users are already broadcasting in Twitch Creative, as well as our expectations for the variety of new content users would like to see. As the Creative community grows, we will continue to update our Community Guidelines in order to support the innovative ways the community uses our platform.
  • Q. What is the Spotlight on the Twitch Creative directory?
    • A. At the top of Twitch Creative there is a carousel featuring broadcasters from the directory curated by staff. This changes to highlight creators in all media, whether or not they have a partnership.
       
  • Q. I have never broadcasted on Twitch before, but I would like to give this Creative thing a shot. How do I get started?
    • A. Click here to find out how to get started on Twitch. Essentially, you need a Twitch account, a computer, broadcasting software, and sufficient internet connection (Twitch recommends at least 1mbps upload speed) and you are ready to go!
       
  • Q. How does Twitch support/promote Creative broadcasters the way they do Gaming broadcasters?
    • A. At Twitch, the goal is to support Broadcasters, whether they are Gaming or Creative. If you are interested in being a Creative Partner, please apply through the same means.
       
  • Q. Can I become a Twitch Partner through Creative content?
    • A. Yep! Twitch will identify creative broadcasters based on viewership and the quality of content. You can apply here using the partner application. In your application, feel free to share details about the creative content you are making.
       
  • Q. Can I broadcast game development or programming on Twitch Creative?
    • A. For broadcasting your programming and game development you can broadcast under Twitch Creative under the relevant communities. As always, please adhere to the Community Guidelines.
       
  • Q. Does all Twitch Creative content have to be gaming related?
    • ​​​A. No, you are free to broadcast your creative process for any allowed genre!
 
 
 

Specific Use Cases

 

  • Q. Can I broadcast music production and performance on Twitch Creative?
    • A. Sure! Musicians can use Twitch Creative to share their process. Whether it’s music production, practicing an instrument or performing, you can do it on Twitch Creative under the Music Community. This can include your own compositions, or arrangements of your favorite song (such as, a “cover” version), so long as it is a live performance on Twitch, and all of the elements of the performance are created wholly by you – and not any other people (meaning, your performance should not include performance elements of the original song). 
  • Q. What about the Music directory? What if I stream under there?
    • A. Twitch Creative supports music creation, production, and performance and we have a dedicated team whose job it is to support you there.  You can also still broadcast those activities under Music, though no Twitch staff are fully dedicated to supporting that category.
       
  • Q. What kinds of performance art are allowed? Why the restriction?
    • A. You can share your comedy (including stand up comedy), magic tricks, music, theatrical performance, including theatrical reading, voice acting, and choreography. We believe that these are types of performance art that strong communities can develop around. We are always listening to our broadcasters and viewers and reviewing our rules.
       
  • Q. Is cooking or eating okay in Twitch Creative?
    • A.  For Creative streams, the focus must be on the creation of an original piece (cooking, baking, etc) not the consumption of food. Eating food or taste testing can only be a trivial part of your Creative broadcast. For content that focuses on eating, you can use the Social Eating directory. Please feel free to cook food on Twitch Creative, and then move over to Social Eating when shifting the focus to eating your full meal. See the Social Eating FAQ for questions.
       
  • Q. Can I broadcast building furniture for my office?
    • A. Assembling office furniture is not allowed. However, if you are building out your broadcast studio or customizing furniture, feel free to use Twitch Creative.
       
  • Q. Is 3D printing considered okay for Twitch Creative?
    • A. 3D printing is allowed as long as it is part of your creation process and it is not an idle 3D printing broadcast.
       
  • Q. Are nude or gory depictions allowed?
    • A. We are working on ways to ensure that artists can produce the work that they want, while also fostering a safe space for the community as a whole. We ask that you refrain from creating or using depictions of nudity or extreme violence until those features are implemented.
       
  • Q: Is fan art okay to stream on Twitch Creative?
    • A: Fan art involves derivative creations of others' copyrighted content, and may be subject to DMCA takedown by a rights holder. We cannot provide you with specific legal advice, but encourage you to assess your broadcasts for adherence to copyright laws, including whether your use is permitted by a license, fair use, or otherwise under the law.
       
  • Q: Can I play Pictionary or other art based guessing games?
    • A: For playing a game of Pictionary or guessing game with art, please use the game “Pictionary” or other appropriate game title for this content.
       
  • Q. Can I rebroadcast Bob Ross' The Joy of Painting Monday Marathons?
    • A. Every Monday, Bob Ross' The Joy of Painting’ is broadcast on twitch.tv/BobRoss. During these broadcasts, all are welcome to rebroadcast this content on their own channels so long as original content is being added to the cast by way of painting along and adding commentary, or other similarly creative and positive activities. We thank Janson Media and Bob Ross, Inc. for allowing this! Check out our blog to learn more about Bob Ross on Twitch here.
       
  • Q. Can I do a talk show on Creative?
    • A. You may do a talk show on Twitch Creative as long as the focus of the talk show is on the creative process and follows current terms of service.
       
  • Q. What if the content I want to broadcast is not listed or it is listed under examples of content that I cannot broadcast on Creative?


Examples of what you can broadcast on Twitch Creative:

  • Digital and traditional painting
  • Digital and traditional modeling
  • Customizing existing things
  • Costume and prop making
  • Sewing, knitting, and crocheting
  • Fuse beads, perlers, and bead sprites
  • Scrap-booking
  • Jewelry making
  • Glass blowing
  • Electronic and robotic projects
  • Cooking and baking full recipes from scratch
  • Creative writing
  • Video editing
  • Photo editing
  • Programming and coding
  • Software and game development
  • Web development
  • Building custom PCs
  • Building a broadcast setup, such as a studio
  • Custom furniture creation or customization (such as Ikea hacks)
  • Model making
  • Bodypainting, including makeup, face painting, henna and cosmetic art
  • Building construction sets (Lego, Erector sets, Mega Bloks, K'nex, Duplo, etc) or model kits (Warhammer, Gundam, and etc)
  • Licensed Tattooing in a safe, professional environment
  • Painting alongside a broadcast of The Joy of Painting from here (Mondays only)
  • Coloring books
  • Brewing
  • Construction, home building and renovation
  • Blacksmithing
  • Maintaining your vehicle
  • Restoration
  • Film production and Photoshoots
  • Performance Arts
    • Comedy, including stand up
    • Magic that neither appears to or may cause harm to yourself or others
    • Music, including composition, production and performance
    • Theatrical performance
    • Voice acting, including theatrical reading and poetry readings
    • Choreography and performance of dance, including ensemble, couples/social dance and traditional  

Examples of what you cannot broadcast on Twitch Creative:

  • Content that would violate our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service
  • Unauthorized performances of pre-existing copyright-protected works
  • Activities that violate our rules on self-harm, (e.g. performances involving pyrotechnics, weapons, real or fake, etc)
  • Homework
  • Assembling furniture
  • A focus on unattended printers (3D or 2D)
  • Playing puzzles
  • Decorating your house
  • Unboxing
  • Toy assembly
  • Piercings
  • Tarot Card Readings; Oujia board
  • Pictionary and drawing games (Use appropriate game directory)
  • Mukbang or eating streams (Use “Social Eating” game directory)
  • Unattended webcam streams
  • Exercise or workout streams
  • Learning languages
  • Distilling
  • Karaoke
  • Rockband, guitar hero, or dj hero (use appropriate game directory)

If you have more questions about Twitch Creative or if you are unsure about the content you want to broadcast, please feel free use our support form at twitch.tv/help to contact us.