Humble experiments with giving streamers a cut of game bundles they promote

Heads up, game industry watchers: The folks behind Humble Bundle are beta-testing a new Partner program that allows select streamers to promote -- and take a cut of -- Humble game bundles using a special referral link.

What's most striking about this new program, which may well boost sales of games in Humble Bundles, is that it hasn't happened already. Video game streamers and YouTubers have long been earning money by promoting games and game vendors, though not always in a way that's transparent enough to meet the FTC's disclosure guidelines.

Transparency seems to be a key concern for Humble, as it notes early on in a blog post about the (beta) Partner program today that "Nothing is hidden.  If you are supporting a partner, you’ll see it plainly at the top of the bundle page and the URL includes the partner’s name."

The partner in question will be integrated into Humble's established "pay what you want, to who you want" payment scheme (with a default 15 percent cut) alongside Humble itself, charities and the developers of the games in the bundle.

It's unclear when Humble expects to launch the Partner program out of beta. For more details (and links to sign up to participate, if you're so inclined) check out the Humble Partner beta FAQ.