Twitch is announcing a new social feature for its live-streaming service: Friends.

Yes -- Twitch will soon support a friends list that will allow users to add up to 500 users, which they’ll be able to see who is online to chat, send whispers, and have one more convenient way to stay in touch with other Twitch users. The Friends Beta will start with select community members starting today, including those who have attended the Twitch Town Hall at PAX East.

“Friends is the latest social feature in Twitch’s ongoing effort to help gamers connect with one another. While Twitch has always been a great platform for broadcasters to connect with viewers, now viewers will be able to connect with each other too,” said Marcus Graham, Twitch’s director of programming. “Other social features include the recently launched Channel Feed, as well as Whispers and Party Chat. Because the community continues to flock to features that help create real connections, as exemplified by the 300 million whispers sent just since launch, we are continuing to make this a key focus.”

For those interested in participating in the Friends Beta, sign-ups will begin on April 23 at the Twitch booth (#9044). For those not at PAX East, we’re sure Twitch will open the Friends Beta up to more users in the near future.