Enthusiasts ignite Rotterdam with vibrant spirits as TwitchCon lands in town
Run-down in Rotterdam: TwitchCon Unites Gamers and Beyond
Rotterdam, Netherlands - The buzz is in the air as TwitchCon descends upon this edgy city, a veritable Mecca for gaming enthusiasts. Just a stones throw from the Ahoy Arena, cosplayers and fans are already mingling, their TwitchCon passes dangling about their necks and ear-toppers adorning their heads.
This Dutch city plays host to TwitchCon this year, a gathering organized by the global streaming powerhouse Twitch from the United States. Here, fans get the rare chance to meet their favorite content creators and bask in the celebrations.
"I started streaming during lockdown and it's just a great way to pass the time while I work on cosplays or other stuff," said Larissa, a 24-year-old Dutchwoman, who came to connect with the creator of the fantastical characters that inspire her. Dressed in a hybrid cyborg-minotaur getup, sporting iridescent skin and fiery red peepers, Larissa can't help but stand out in the crowd.
"Meeting all these cool folks here, especially when you're cosplaying, people recognize the cosplay and start conversations based on that. It makes for an easier icebreaker," Larisa shared.
- Sparks flying -
Like Larissa, throngs of fans from across Europe came out in force to meet their beloved creators and catch live e-sports events, such as Fortnite and Elden Ring, staged by Twitch legends.
"Most of the work that happens on Twitch is digital," said Mary Kish, a marketing director at Twitch. "Being online, you're streaming with others, spending countless hours a week engaged with your community. TwitchCon is the culmination of that camaraderie, and the energy is palpable." Kish, a Yankee in her late thirties, couldn't help but gush about the event.
French streamers JL Tomy and Etoiles, who boast a combined following of 2.5 million, were also in attendance. "It's a blast because there are so many partner streamers similar to me," said JL Tomy, a 28-year-old who goes by the name Toma Abdellaoui. A homebody at heart, JL Tomy's content revolves around GTA, Valorant, League of Legends, and e-sports competitions.
Twitch, acquired by Amazon in 2014 for roughly $842 million, is the world's leading streaming platform for gaming, with over 2.5 million hourly viewers on average. As gaming remains the core of Twitch since its 2011 inception, the platform has expanded its horizons, attracting entertainment, sports, and political figures, as well as live broadcasts of major events.
Kish revealed that Twitch's "Just Chatting" category is now its largest non-gaming segment, offering viewers a wide array of content catering to diverse interests. Among the myriad non-gaming segments that have gained momentum on Twitch are music and art streams, cooking shows, ASMR experiences, talk shows and podcasts, educational workshops, wellness and fitness sessions, and travel and adventure streams.
Mirroring this diversity, visitors at TwitchCon partook in theatre workshops, Lego model-building events, and the annual Drag Queen show, a TwitchCon staple. TwitchCon's next North American edition is slated for October 17-19, 2025, in San Diego.
Over the years, Twitch has evolved beyond its gaming roots to accommodate a variety of non-gaming segments, providing viewers with engaging content that goes beyond traditional gaming streams. Although gaming remains the cornerstone of Twitch since its inception, the platform's inclusiveness has bolstered its popularity and paved the way for long-lasting friendships and memories formed among its community members.
- Larissa, immersed in the TwitchCon crowd, chatted about the unique conversations that arise when cosplaying, citing the recognition of her hybrid cosplay as an easy icebreaker.
- As Twitch expands its horizons, attracting a diversity of content creators, the platform's "Just Chatting" category has grown to be its largest non-gaming segment, offering various content catering to diverse interests, such as music and art streams, educational workshops, and travel and adventure streams.
