Video games stand out among entertainment mediums because of interactivity, though that hasn’t stopped a cottage industry of content creators from garnering millions of followers by creatingstatic gaming videos through platforms like YouTube. Tech startup Warp World has dedicated itself to improving interactivity in the realm of streaming, and the biggest extension of that isCrowd Control, an app released in October 2018.The application is designed to benefit all three members of a streaming trinity in different ways, according to Warp World: creators get more engagement through interactive content, viewers directly support streamers by donating toward chaotic incentives in popular titles, and game developers extend the life of their projects with a new element of randomization. Warp World launched the open beta for Crowd Control 2.0 this week, with plans to officially sunset theTwitch-exclusive version 1.0 on June 1. Game Rant spoke to Warp World CEO Matthew “Jaku” Jakubowski about the new features driving Crowd Control 2.0 and how it will affect the further adoption of new games and live events.RELATED:Twitch CEO Announces Plan to Reduce Controversial Pre-Roll Ads
Crowd Control is Reaching for New Audiences
Jaku started Warp World in 2015 after becoming aSuper Mario Makerstreamer in his spare time, interested in streamer tools as an extension of his Information Security (InfoSec) job. The startup put out Multi-Queue to help people keep items organized, and then 1UpCoin to prove a safe way of accepting cryptocurrency donations with alerts. Crowd Control supported just three games at first, but as of 2.0’s launch supports over 110.
“We really saw a new way that viewers, streamers, and gamers in general can interact and experience games. It’s like multiplayer, like an MMO, but it’s more than that.”
Though Warp World also developed projects like theAnimal Crossing New Horizonssupport tool Turnip Exchange, growing Crowd Control’s library has been a top priority. The launch of 2.0 features a new look to make navigating the system easier for newcomers, but also underlying software built for broad compatibility. Crowd Control 1.0 utilizes Twitch-exclusive extensions, though with a proprietary Bits-to-Coin conversion that ensures Warp World can refund users whose effects fail to activate.
The 2.0 build carries over Coins in two buckets, one linked to the Twitch channels in which Bits are purchased, and the other serving as a general wallet to be spent across platforms. While the new service works “anywhere you can create live content,” the closed beta marketing pointed to YouTube, TikTok Live, andDiscordas alternatives. Jaku said Warp World and developers are interested in exploring other platforms despite Twitch still having the biggest market share, so he doesn’t want them to feel “trapped” or have to alienate certain audiences.
TikTok is a notable focus; one of the short-form streaming platforms highlighted whenTwitch lightened its partner exclusivity agreement in August 2022. Jaku wants creators to know that Crowd Control is great for productions on TikTok or Instagram Live, whether a streamer wants to drum up support ahead of a bigger session or build a career there. “We want to see how that goes,” he said. “It’s really an experiment on both sides with ideas such as sending likes.”
Expanding Crowd Control 2.0’s Support Catalog
Despite going multi-platform, Jaku said there will not be game limitations - users can just as easily play Crowd ControlSuper Metroidon Twitch as they can Facebook or TikTok. Effects may be exclusive based on extensions available at each site, but Crowd Control 2.0 shoots for “platform independence.” If anything, Jaku expects the roster of supported titles to grow as Warp World builds out its documentation and garners developer support.
Popularity is a big component of what gets adapted, though Jaku said the team weighs the pros and cons on something likeValorantwhere its online nature and anti-cheat softwarecould result in bans. New releases are also a harder sell if Warp World needs to be “constantly chasing updates,” though the team of around 10 developers loves to jump in on the hype for games likeVampire Survivors.
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It’s an ongoing process, according to Jaku. Crowd Control has thus far featured around 20 tested “connector types” (such as mods or memory manipulation) that can apply to new titles without as much experimentation. A notable breakthrough came withFall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Rather than impacting the game directly, Crowd Control can affect button inputs and places a transparent video player over the screen to show disruptions; purely negative effects to avoid cheating accusations. “I think we’ll be able to bring in a lot of users based on that sort of thing, which will help drive Crowd Control adoption.”
Plenty of Crowd Control resources are available online for developers to take advantage of, like apublic Unity plugin. Warp World is also dedicated to helping studios help Crowd Control grow its catalog by sharing knowledge to avoid anyone doubling up on work.
Crowd Control 1.0’s Biggest Events Set the Stage for 2.0
Beyond financially supporting streamers, Warp World partners with Tiltify to make Crowd Control charity drives easier. On April 26, Warp World head of marketing Monica Mendez announced Crowd Control has helped raise over $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 2020. Through connections with Internet personalities like Jirard “The Completionist” Khalil, Jaku has supported Crowd Control blocks atcharity events such as IndieLand 2022.
Among the most exciting Crowd Control accomplishments for Jaku have been one-off events. The system was used for aBloodstained: Ritual of the Nightshowcase at Tokyo Game Show 2019, where Jaku said his team was compiling code as he flew to Japan since Warp World was only given the game 12 days in advance. A Crowd Control block also raised money forThe Wonderful 101: Remastered’s February 2020 Kickstarter drivein Osaka. However, neither game is Crowd Control-compatible for the public. “As much as I’d love to bring it to those games, we like to listen to the people we work with when they say yes or no.”
As a result, one of the biggest public collabs for Warp World came throughHumaNature Studios’ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove, which directly implemented Crowd Control support in 2019. Jaku said it was “huge” to see his name in the credits of a sequel to one of his childhood favorites, not to mention the company logo in its title splash screen. After falling into InfoSec and feeling like he missed his window to be involved with game development, Jaku is very excited to see Crowd Control take off. Now, with 2.0, he hopes it can grow further by working with more community, indie, and AAA developers.
“As time has gone on, I feel more and more like I belong. That we are making a difference in the world of gaming, bringing some cool stuff that people enjoy.”
Crowd Control 2.0’s open beta is available now, with a full release planned for May 13, 2025.
