Twitch has announced the removal of its Hype Chat feature based on feedback from the community. The feature, which allowed users to pay up to $500 to pin their message at the top of a streamer's chat, will be phased out on November 15th and integrated into the existing Cheering and Bits functions. The change comes in response to user dissatisfaction with the Hype Chat function, especially since Twitch retained a 30% cut of the payment and users couldn't disable it. With the upcoming changes, all paying users will have access to the message-pinning function without additional costs as part of the Cheering and Bits experience.

This move aligns with Twitch's plans to invest more into the Cheering and Bits features as a way for viewers to support streamers. The pinned messages will still be available in fast-moving chats, but now through Cheer with Bits. Twitch has expressed continued belief in the value of pinned messages to enhance viewer-streamer interaction. The integration aims to streamline the way viewers can highlight their messages while offering a more appreciated form of monetary support to their favorite content creators on the platform.