As of today the streaming platform Own3D.tv is ceasing its operations. The announcement on their website cites a “turbulent start” as well as “unexpected growth” as reasons for their closure. Their final message also mentions increased competition in the field of video game streaming (which mostly likely means Twitch.tv) and says that despite their best efforts closure could not be avoided. While their statement doesn’t mention specifics it’s clear that stream quality and payment issues are at least partly to blame for their downfall. Even though streaming has become a more popular way to watch everyone’s favorite players, it seems that for now there’s only enough room in the market for one major site.
Speculation about the website’s future began over a week ago when popular Starcraft 2 and League of Legends steamer, Destiny, issued a statement regarding his time with Own3D, painting a not so pretty picture of his financial dealings with them. According to him almost immediately after he negotiated what seemed like a pretty sweet deal with Own3D he began to receive the run around from COO Oleg Kogut regarding almost all of what he was promised in his contract. After months of inquiries regarding missing payments, Destiny decided to return to Twitch.tv which caused, according to him, Own3D.tv to renege on about five months of pay.
This is only the story of one streamer, so it could just be a fluke, but Destiny is one of gaming’s most popular streamers. If they couldn’t treat him well imagine what it was like for those who didn’t share his popularity. The people who spend their time streaming to make a living are the most valuable resource for a site like this, if their unhappy, competitors will pounce.
That’s exactly what happened to Destiny. As you can see, his Twitch stream is already up and running (or up and running again) with 48,000 + subscribers to his name. In a digital business like this it doesn’t take long for someone to leave a site and start-up operations again someplace else.
This all means very little to the average gamer as they will still be able to watch their favorite players through other sites. They will still be able to improve their game and theory craft with strangers while watching professionals play the games they love. Despite Own3D’s closure, this is still a growth industry that’s good for players and developers. As Own3D puts it in their farewell address, “The gaming revolution will not be televised – it will be streamed.”
