Microsoft’s game-streaming platform has been rebranded to Mixer, a name that reflects how it seeks to tie more people in together with interactive viewing experiences. The Beam name apparently didn’t do the trick.
“We chose Mixer as our new name because it represents what we love most about the service….how it brings people together,” Mixer co-founder and engineering lead Matt Salsamendi wrote.
“It brings people together through the core experience and ‘special sauce’ that our fans already know and love: the ability to not just watch streams, but to also interact with streamers and play together in near real-time. In other words, Mixer is livestreaming that’s actually LIVE, compared to the 10 – 20 second latency you typically get on other platforms. What’s more, viewers can actively participate in what’s happening on screen instead of just watching from the sidelines. With Mixer, you can influence everything from quest selection to tools to movement, mixing it up with your favorite streamers to create a new kind of gaming experience.”
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Along with the name change come new features for Mixer, which is built directly into the Guide on Xbox One and Game bar on Windows 10 for those streaming their gameplay.
Co-streaming has launched, with up to four different streamers able to combine their streams into a single Mixer page viewing experience from the four perspectives. Gamers do not have to be playing the same game or doing the same activity. The split-screen views also enable a centralized chat experience.
Also, the Mixer Create app will launches in beta to enable self-broadcasting, enabling users to have the option to also join co-streaming.
With the addition of a 24/7 moderated channel of content called Channel One, Mixer is able to highlight content including title releases, live streaming events and more.