Microsoft’s interactive game streaming service Beam renamed to Mixer

Microsoft today announced that they are renaming the Beam interactive game streaming service to ‘Mixer’. Along with the name change, Microsoft is also announcing several new features coming to this service.

So why exactly did Microsoft decide to change the name of Beam? “This was a tough decision, and not one that we made lightly. But, it was something that we decided on as a team. We believe so much in the power of the platform and want to grow it in every major market around the world.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t something we could do with the Beam name.  We chose Mixer as our new name because it represents what we love most about the service….how it brings people together”, wrote Matt Salsamendi, Co-founder and Mixer Engineering Lead.

Microsoft also highlighted how Mixer is better than other game live streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. On Mixer, the viewers can not only enjoy the stream, but they can also interact with streamers and play together in near real-time. Minecraft team inside Microsoft is experimenting with the interactivity that Mixer offers as a possibility for official game integration. Mixer’s livestreaming is actually LIVE, compared to the 10 – 20 second latency you typically get on other platforms.

Microsoft today introduced the Mixer NYC Studio located at the flagship Microsoft Store in New York. It is a digital production studio with state of the art facilities designed for live audience, competitive and community gaming events. It 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. For the latest Mixer NYC Studio events, visit this page.

Matt finally mentioned that Mixer represents Microsoft’s vision for the next generation of multiplayer – watching and participating alongside your friends in gameplay streaming from anywhere in the world.