WHY WAS BSG BANNED ON TWITCH
WHY WAS BSG BANNED ON TWITCH
The History of BSG on Twitch
Battlestate Games (BSG), the developer of the popular first-person shooter Escape from Tarkov, has had a tumultuous relationship with Twitch, the world's largest live-streaming platform. BSG's games have been banned on Twitch multiple times, most recently in 2022.
Why BSG Was Initially Banned on Twitch
In 2017, BSG's Escape from Tarkov was banned on Twitch due to its depiction of graphic violence. The game features realistic gore and dismemberment, which Twitch deemed to be in violation of its community guidelines. The ban was later lifted after BSG agreed to tone down the violence in the game.
The Battleye Controversy
In 2020, BSG was again banned from Twitch, this time due to the use of the Battleye anti-cheat system in Escape from Tarkov. Battleye is a third-party anti-cheat software that is used by many popular games, including Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG. However, Battleye has been criticized for its invasive nature, as it requires access to users' computers in order to operate. Twitch claimed that Battleye violated its terms of service, which prohibit the use of software that collects user data without consent. BSG disputed this claim, arguing that Battleye only collects data that is necessary to prevent cheating.
The Final Straw: RMT and Copyright Infringement
In 2022, BSG was banned from Twitch for the final time. This time, the ban was due to two reasons: RMT (real-money trading) and copyright infringement. RMT is the act of buying or selling in-game items or currency for real money. Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder.
BSG has been accused of allowing RMT to flourish in Escape from Tarkov. The game's in-game currency, roubles, can be purchased and sold for real money on websites like eBay. This has created a black market for roubles, which has led to an unfair advantage for players who can afford to buy large amounts of currency.
BSG has also been accused of copyright infringement. The game features music and sound effects that are allegedly taken from other sources without permission. This has led to copyright strikes from the owners of the copyrighted material, which has resulted in BSG's ban from Twitch.
The Future of BSG on Twitch
It is unclear whether or not BSG will ever be allowed back on Twitch. The company has appealed its ban, but Twitch has yet to respond. In the meantime, BSG has moved its streaming operations to YouTube. It is possible that BSG will eventually be allowed back on Twitch, but it is also possible that the ban will be permanent.
Conclusion
BSG's ban from Twitch is a significant event in the history of online gaming. It is one of the few times that a major game developer has been banned from the world's largest live-streaming platform. The ban has had a negative impact on BSG's business, as the company has lost access to a large audience of potential customers. It is also a blow to the reputation of Twitch, as the platform is now seen as being too restrictive.
Leave a Reply