Consider Leaving Twitch's Affiliate Program
As of recently, I am no longer a Twitch Affiliate.
I have voluntarily left the program for reasons which I think should compel others with similar goals to do the same, and which I'll explain below.
I want to make friends, not fans.
Our true friends are some of the most important people in our lives. For many of us, these people are closer than our own families.
I feel that gaming should be about having fun and sharing that experience with friends, rather than putting on a performance for strangers whom I hope to impress.
If you just want to game with your friends, and aren't expecting them to behave like fans, perhaps you should consider leaving the Affiliate program too.
I want to play, not work.
To me, the Affiliate program is little more than a stepping stone on the path to becoming a Partner, which would be a worthwhile goal if I intended to stream for a living.
But I don't want to be a professional Twitch streamer.
It may sound exciting, but the reality is stressful. Marketing, scheduling, and worrying about arbitrary measurements of success (e.g. your follower count) can quickly transform something we once enjoyed into a chore we often don't have the energy for.
If streaming feels like work and you don't intend to become a professional streamer, perhaps you should consider leaving the Affiliate program too.
I can't accept your money.
If I'm in the company of good friends, I feel incredibly fortunate and could not ask for more. The last thing I want is for them to start spending their money in any way which benefits me. It doesn't feel right to even offer it as an option.
Being there for me, however you can, is all that matters. Hanging out during my streams, inviting me to online co-op events, and messaging me to catch up if we haven't talked in a while are great ways of showing that you care. These actions are far more meaningful than any financial gesture.
If you agree with the sentiments above, perhaps you should consider leaving the Affiliate program too.