When it comes to the live-streaming platform Twitch, the focus is overwhelmingly on traditional video games and eSports titles. In fact, when the platform was first launched as Justin.tv back in 2007, it was originally designed for friends to be able to share their gaming sessions. But things quickly grew.
By 2014, the platform had amassed enough attention for Amazon to purchase it. By then, Twitch was renowned for offering an unbeatable gaming community. In fact, it was so important to the industry that Twitch helped launch the modern eSports craze. Overwhelmingly, streamers focused on popular titles like League of Legends, Call of Duty, and DOTA 2—which remain some of the biggest eSports titles in the world.
But things have evolved considerably since 2014. Even back then, some live streamers decided to use the platform not to share their gaming sessions but to create a community with their followers. So long as they could live-stream their activities, they could find subscribers—and this trend has continued today.
Despite Twitch’s early focus on gaming, the platform’s users have diversified greatly—which means streamers are creating non-gaming content. And despite an emphasis on community-building and entertainment, subscribers can learn a thing or two from certain channels. If you’re interested in joining Twitch but don’t have an interest in PC or console gaming, then consider diving into one of the topics below.
Lex Veldhuis Teaches the Art of the Bluff
When it comes to poker, one of the most popular Twitch streamers is Lex Veldhuis. The pro has been active in online poker communities for well over a decade. His welcoming personality pairs well with his complex topic of choice: poker. For beginner and intermediate players hoping to learn a few tricks, Veldhuis is often one of the first Twitch accounts they follow.
He’s currently a member of the PokerStars pro team, where he teaches online courses that cover a few different poker topics. One of the most intriguing is how to detect other players’ strengths—and how to use bluffing to navigate certain games. According to Velhduis, knowing how to bluff all falls back on knowing yourself and being able to read other players well.
Getting to Know Mother Nature and MarysMilkMonsters
One sign that Twitch was diversifying its offerings was the addition of the ‘Animals, Aquariums, and Zoos’ category. Depending on your level of interest in learning about the outdoors, you can follow various streams that offer a peek into Mother Nature.
For example, Crittervision takes subscribers straight into a rural backyard. While subs won’t see elephants or other exotic animals, they’ll be treated to a far more familiar (and cheeky) look at wildlife. Other accounts, like MarysMilkMonsters, cover the life of small-time farmers. In Mary’s case, she simply takes subscribers into her barn during her twice-a-day goat-milking sessions. What’s the big pull? Gossiping with other subscribers about the latest news on the goats.
How to Pilot a (Virtual) Plane with TheFlyingFabio
Understanding how to bluff in poker is a highly nuanced skill that intrigues many. Meanwhile, getting a glimpse at nature (and goats) might provide a sense of relief from city living and a chance to join a community. But few skills are as useful and hard to learn as piloting a plane. Lucky for Twitch users, there’s a stream for that.
Streamers like TheFlyingFabio use Microsoft Flight Simulator (MFS) to educate their subscribers. While it might sound a bit far-fetched, MFS is known for its next-level realism—to the point that the game is used to educate actual piloting students. The game’s attention to detail is so great that it offers a realistic bird’s-eye view of cities across North America, along with their airports and landing strips.
So, while it might not be the best place to graduate with an MFS piloting license, it’s a great way for streamers to learn more about piloting. Specifically, TheFlyingFabio educates his subs on topics like aerodynamics, flight regulations, and wind patterns.