Microsoft Is Shutting Down Mixer, Will Now Partner With Facebook Gaming

Microsoft has announced that it will be shutting down Mixer, and on July 22 it will redirect all Mixer sites and apps to Facebook Gaming. The news was announced on Xbox Wire, with Microsoft admitting that "It became clear that the time needed to grow our own livestreaming community to scale was out of measure with the vision and experiences we want to deliver to gamers now." Microsoft has made the decision to transition all of its streamers to Facebook  Gaming, if they so choose, meaning that those who signed exclusive deals, namely Tyler "Ninja" Blevins, Cory "King Gothalion" Michael, and Michael "Shroud" Grzesiek, will be free to return to Twitch or continue on to Facebook Gaming. As reported by The Verge, the head of Facebook Gaming said “It’s up to them and their priorities,” meaning Microsoft's new partner isn't "actively pursuing exclusive agreements with any of Mixer’s biggest names." Existing Mixer Partners will be granted partner status with Facebook Gaming, and streamers using the Mixer monetization program will be able to start using Facebook's Level Up program instantly. As for Mixer viewers, those with "outstanding Ember balances, channel subscriptions, or Mixer Pro subscriptions will receive Xbox gift card credit." Microsoft is also stating that Project xCloud was a big factor in this decision and it will "look to debut click-to-play scenarios within the Facebook Gaming and Instagram communities." The technology that helped build Mixer will continue to impact Microsoft products, as Microsoft Teams will "leverage Mixer’s deep investments in ultra-low latency video streaming, real-time interactivity, and video distribution technology to accelerate our ability to support a variety of video-first, virtual experiences from meetings to live events to other broadcast scenarios." Speaking to The Verge, Xbox head Phil Spencer described how Mixer was fighting an uphill battle from the start. “We started pretty far behind, in terms of where Mixer’s monthly active viewers were compared to some of the big players out there,” Spencer, said. “I think the Mixer community is really going to benefit from the broad audience that Facebook has through their properties, and the abilities to reach gamers in a very seamless way through the social platform Facebook has.” Developing...

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