Fact: Beam was acquired by Microsoft some time back. Fact: Beam, is now know as Mixer.
Yes, the livestreaming platform has been renamed and comes with a few new features. Firstly, Mixer is hailed to be a livestreaming “that’s actually LIVE, compared to the 10 – 20 second latency you typically get on other platforms”.
The revamped platform will allow more audience participation, where “you can influence everything from quest selection to tools to movement, mixing it up with your favourite streamers to create a new kind of gaming experience.” Microsoft said they are experimenting interactivity with Minecraft.
Telltale Games has started leveraging that integration with “Crowd Play”, allowing audience to choose what happens at story moments and determine the trajectory and outcome of the adventure. It was noted that Telltale plans to bring this unique type of massive online player participation to streamers and players around the world in all their future projects.
The Mixer service is built directly into the Guide on Xbox One and Game bar on Windows 10 to allow for easy streaming during their gameplay. Anyone can share their gameplay with friends, or start building out an audience, with no extra software required.
Along with the release, there are several new features highlighted in their post:
- Co-Streaming: Starting today, there are built-in cooperative streaming where up to 4 streamers can combine their streams into a single viewer. Co-streaming enables multiple channel streams to be displayed on a single Mixer page on a shared “split-screen” view, including a centralised chat. Co-streaming doesn’t require streamers to play the same game or even do the same activity, and you can join a co-stream with friends who are streaming from different types of devices.
- Mixer Create Beta Launches on Mobile Devices (iOS and Android). Mixer Create is a new mobile app that enables self-broadcasting, and the beta is available publicly on Android today, and through Apple’s TestFlight service by invite only. There will also be ability to stream live gameplay from your mobile device in the near future. Once mobile gameplay streaming launches, you’ll be able to join a co-stream with friends who are broadcasting on PC, console or other mobile devices.
- Channel One. Channel One is an always-on, moderated channel of content that lets you see what’s happening across Mixer. Big title releases, livestream events, tips and tricks, esports updates, and other content will be highlighted. It’s hailed as a great “first stop” for new visitors to discover services on Mixer.
- Mixer Page on the Xbox One Dashboard. Launching today to Xbox Insiders, the new Mixer page on the Xbox One dashboard will feature some of the most unique, popular and engaging streams that are broadcast on Mixer, curated by an in house team.
E3
Xbox will be broadcasting the E3 briefing from 11-15 June in 4K Ultra HD, with a special edition Mixer 4K broadcast for those with a 4K A/V setup. And, there will be some special digital bonuses for those watching and signed in on Mixer.
Mixer NYC Studio
Microsoft also unveiled the Mixer NYC Studio, located at the flagship Microsoft Store in New York. The Mixer NYC Studio is a digital production studio designed for live audience, competitive and community gaming events. The state of the art facility includes broadcast capabilities to bring gaming and eSports events held on the store’s 5th floor through Mixer.
The studio is outfitted with professional-grade gaming stations, a control room that supports 2D and 3D graphic effects, a digital audio system bringing arena, concert sound quality, full interactive lighting control, an LED video wall, shoutcaster desks and player lounges, along with stage, audience and commentary setups.
