Twitch Loses Rights to Iconic Emote: What This Means for Streamers

Twitch has announced it is set to lose the rights to one of its most iconic emotes, leaving fans heartbroken.

The streaming platform Twitch provides various features designed to engage its viewers and community. From tools that enhance navigation to options for personalizing user feeds, Twitch consistently works to create an inclusive and visible environment for its users.

Among Twitch’s more whimsical features that have gained popularity in recent years are emotes. With hundreds of emotes available, including those related to popular streamers, memes, and games, users have crafted a unique language using these icons.

However, on September 25, 2024, the official Twitch X account (formerly known as Twitter) delivered a heartbreaking update about the future of one of the platform’s most beloved emotes.

The end of the BibleThump Era (2013-2024) is nigh! On 9/30, the rights to our beloved emote expire. 😭 While this is sad news, we know that all emotes go to heaven. SPEAKING OF SAD – we’re going to need a new emote to spam these feelings…

— Twitch (@Twitch) September 25, 2024

The announcement revealed that the BibleThump emote, which was introduced to Twitch in 2013, will no longer be available after September 30, 2024, when the “rights to [their] beloved emote expire.”This marks the end of the “BibleThump era”on Twitch.

Despite the somber news regarding the BibleThump emote’s departure, Twitch hinted that a new emote will be needed to express these feelings.

The BibleThump emote on Twitch has its origins in the 2011 game The Binding of Isaac, which is based on the Biblical tale of the Binding of Isaac. Over the years, it has become a staple for many users on the platform.

Just hours following the announcement, Edmund McMillen, the creator of The Binding of Isaac, expressed his willingness to find a “solution” to keep the emote on Twitch.

For those wondering what happened with the BibleThump emote, I’m 100% fine with coming up with a good solution to keep or modify the emote, but I’m not in control of the new Twitch policies, so it’s really up to them.

— 🜏 Edmund McMillen 🜏 (@edmundmcmillen) September 25, 2024

In his X post, McMillen stated, “For those wondering what happened with the BibleThump emote, I’m 100% fine with coming up with a good solution to keep or modify the emote, but I’m not in control of the new Twitch policies, so it’s really up to them.”

The Twitch community is understandably upset about the potential loss of the BibleThump emote, with many urging Twitch to renew its rights to keep it active on the platform.

“Nah, you gotta renew those rights or something, that emote is GOATED,” commented one user on X. Another user criticized Twitch for being “stingy,” especially given McMillen’s openness to retaining the emote.

Only time will tell if the BibleThump emote returns to Twitch. However, for now, be sure to use it as much as possible before it vanishes on September 30, 2024.

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