The Internet Reacts To Google Trying To Buy Twitch

Both Variety and The Wall Street Journal have reported tonight that Google is in talks to buy Twitch. Some people are happy about this. Other people are not.

https://kotaku.com/report-youtube-is-buying-twitch-for-1-billion-1578241076

Here’s a snapshot of the internet’s immediate reaction to the proposed move. We’ll start close to home:

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468163609714233344

Eventually all tech companies will merge into Tetsuo Shima from the end of Akira and we will all die in a blast of psychic energy.

— chris person (@Papapishu) May 18, 2014

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468165774851338242

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468165748636917760

The internet now feels like a game of Monopoly when 2 dudes are dominating and buy Kent St for $$$ because who gives a fuck it's just money.

— Mark Serrels (@Serrels) May 18, 2014

There’s positive sentiment coming from the e-sports scene, one of the primary drivers of Twitch’s popularity over the years.

I support the deal and think the @YouTube / @Twitch merger would be GOOD for gamers. It'll bring best-in-class streaming and VOD together.

— Josh Olin (@JD_2020) May 18, 2014

Twitch was built off the backs of esports and competitive gaming. $1BN shows the efforts of a 20-year fight for legitimacy. #ESPORTS

— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) May 18, 2014

The streaming crowd, on the other hand, is a little more divided. Understandably, given Google’s history with copyright enforcement.

I hope this doesn't happen. I feel like the community will totally change. http://t.co/Uvd5molR16

— Jena Gares (@JenaGares) May 19, 2014

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468186789069336577

Partners who complain about Twitch support are gonna blow a gasket if YouTube's service woes get transplanted there.

— Ryan Letourneau (@Northernlion) May 18, 2014

Hoping this means Youtube will finally embrace gaming content, or at the very least not completely fuck Twitch users http://t.co/kRti4jcl6S

— Jake Goldberg (@SendPizza64) May 18, 2014

Why is everyone freaking out? lol

— Towelliee (@towelthetank) May 18, 2014

Unsurprisingly, negative sentiment has led to the hashtag #RIPTwitch trending on Twitter, at least in the United States.

Meanwhile, over on Twitch’s Facebook page, users of the service aren’t waiting for an official confirmation/announcement of the talks to share their thoughts.

Here’s a more general reaction to the news (with the occasional insight):

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468182272902848514

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468173363509473280

TWITCH PLAYS GOOGLE+

— Fujoshi's Island (@Dauragon) May 18, 2014

Google/YouTube buying Twitch means the NSA will finally find out that most of us suck at Spelunky.

— Fork Parker (@ForkParker) May 18, 2014

It's definitely been interesting to watch twitch grow from a small platform to a ubiquitous gaming entertainment hub.

— Win Lin (@WinL) May 19, 2014

Am I the only one who hopes that twitch DOES sell so that they can be under new, more professional management?

— AmIDuneItRight (@AmIDuneItRight) May 19, 2014

https://twitter.com/embed/status/468196322672398336