END OF AN ERA: Microsoft to shut down Mixer next month
REDMOND, Wash. — An end of an era for one of Microsoft‘s divisions will come roughly one month from now.
Microsoft made an announcement Monday that they will be shutting down their Mixer streaming platform on July 22. This is a contingency plan as they will partner with Facebook Gaming as a new home for streamers and viewers.
Xbox head Phil Spencer made the following statement:
Ultimately, the success of Partners and streamers on Mixer is dependent on our ability to scale the service for them as quickly and broadly as possible. It became clear that the time needed to grow our own live streaming community to scale was out of measure with the vision and experiences we want to deliver to gamers now, so we’ve decided to close the operations side of Mixer and help the community transition to a new platform.
The backstory of Mixer
Mixer made its debut in 2017 following Microsoft’s acquisition of Beam in 2016. A report from GameInformer’s Javy Gwaltney reveals they brought in superstar streamer Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins on an exclusive deal. Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek would also sign to an exclusive deal.
The Verge’s Tom Warren writes that Spencer is allowing Ninja, Shroud, and other top streamers to go back to Twitch; the other option would be to start streaming on Facebook Gaming. Mixer will be terminating the contracts of all exclusive streamers as a result.
Neither Ninja nor Shroud has made an official comment on the situation.
xCloud and how it could impact Facebook Gaming
The Verge also mentions Microsoft’s move to provide a broader base for its xCloud streaming service; the technology will have a part in a broader Facebook Gaming platform.
Former Mixer users will be redirected to Facebook Gaming. Streamers will receive offers to join and partner with the platform and their “Level Up” program.
What happens with subs and Embers
Outstanding subscriptions and Embers — a form of digital currency on the platform — will convert to Microsoft Store credit.
Personnel and IP to move to Microsoft Teams
Remaining intellectual property and staff will receive a personnel transfer to the company’s Microsoft Teams division.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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