Perhaps you watch a lot of Twitch streaming, and have become interested in the Twitch Prime service - or you're considering buying an Amazon Prime package and are an avid gamer. Either way, you may be curious about what Prime Gaming (formerly Amazon Prime) is, how it's related to Twitch, and perhaps elsewhere, and is Prime Gaming worth it?
How did Amazon Prime start?
Twitch Prime, an exclusive Twitch platform, was launched in the fall of 2016. It's a subscription program that allows users to fund their favorite streamers without ads. Since Twitch is now owned by Amazon, Amazon eventually decided to integrate this subscription with its free delivery service.
Users were initially suspicious of the idea, but since they could receive many free monthly rewards in addition to their Twitch subscription, they quickly changed their minds and embraced Amazon. Twitch Prime was eventually rebranded Prime Gaming a few years later after the relaunch, and people using one subscription could get the other for free.
Amazon Prime Gaming is a subscription aimed at gamers. When you buy a monthly Prime Gaming package, you get Twitch Prime and free games and rewards - if you already have an Amazon Prime membership you can get Amazon Gaming for free.
What are the advantages of Prime Gaming?
Amazon Prime Gaming is included in the standard Amazon Prime membership for $12.99 per month, so there is no additional cost. You can also join for a free 30-day trial period and cancel at any time if you're not satisfied. If you frequently buy things on Amazon and want to support someone on Twitch, this can be a good deal.
Amazon Prime itself gives you a variety of benefits, including free Prime delivery (free two-day delivery or free same-day shipping in some locations) and access to Prime Video, which includes many original shows and movies, often blockbusters. You also have access to Prime Music, with a huge library of music and many free books on Kindle.
Twitch players can discuss freely thanks to their Prime subscription, and are marked with a unique Prime badge. They also have unique chat colors and emoticons at their disposal. You not only get a free monthly subscription to support your favorite content creator, but also free in-game cosmetics, otherwise unavailable merchandise, experience boosts and other similar bonuses.
You also get a free game every month: these can be lesser-known productions like Two Point Hospital, or classics like Need for Speed: Heat, Starcraft:Remastered or the cult classic adventure ZakMcKraken. What's more, you also unlock free items or skins. Very often you also get, for example, cash in GTA Online.
How does Prime Gaming work?
For novice Twitch users, understanding how Prime Gaming membership works can be a tiny bit perplexing.
When you sign up for Amazon Prime, you also get Prime Gaming for free. They are not two different things that you have to pay for separately. However, there is no Twitch Prime anymore - you just have to subscribe to Prime Gaming, not the entire Amazon Prime package. If you subscribe to Amazon Prime Gaming, you will still have Prime status on Twitch.
You can cancel your membership at any time, with no hidden fees that might make you subscribe longer than you intended.
Is it worth buying Amazon Prime?
Regardless, if you're wondering whether you should buy Amazon Prime just for Prime Gaming, the answer is no. If you're only interested in Twitch privileges, consider whether it's worth it - you can support your favorite streamers with donations if you want.
The games offered by Prime are usually good - either older titles or lesser-known indie productions. However, subscriptions like Epic also offer free games. The value of free games might not offset the subscription costs, though - and if you cancel your Prime subscription you lose access to them!
However, if you frequently shop at Amazon, watch Twitch streams, enjoy Amazon Prime shows and like playing video games - it's a good deal combining everything into one convenient package.
