Microsoft updates Beam streaming to better compete with Twitch

The already speedy service is now faster and lets you log in with Xbox Live.

Microsoft is getting its newly-acquired Beam livestreaming service ready for Xbox and Windows with a big new update. Beam’s low-latency tech lets you rapidly interact with your favorite streamers, and even play along, compared to the more passive Twitch experience. It’s improved the already-quick latency by five times, increased the max bitrate to 10 Mbps and now supports 60 FPS render speeds at up to 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. Continue reading Microsoft updates Beam streaming to better compete with Twitch

The Inbetweeners’ Jay Has His Own YouTube Gaming Channel

James Buckley, a.k.a. Jay from “The Inbetweeners,” has a YouTube gaming channel aptly titled “Completed It Mate.”

The Inbetweeners star James Buckley, more commonly known for his time portraying the foul-mouthed bullshitter Jay in the Channel 4 sitcom, now has his own YouTube gaming channel. Continue reading The Inbetweeners’ Jay Has His Own YouTube Gaming Channel

Twitch Hires ‘Halo’ and Xbox Veteran Matt McCloskey as VP of Commerce

Gaming vet Matt McCloskey — former chief operating officer of Microsoft’s 343 Industries, the studio that maintains the “Halo” franchise — is joining Twitch in the newly created role of VP of commerce.

At Twitch, McCloskey will be responsible for growing economic activity on the platform to help support content creators, specifically focused on the current Cheering and Bits program (which lets fans purchase emoji to “cheer” for their favorite gamers) and streamer subscriptions businesses. In addition, he is tasked with creating new engagement opportunities for game developers on Twitch. Continue reading Twitch Hires ‘Halo’ and Xbox Veteran Matt McCloskey as VP of Commerce

Twitch reveals dates and new venue for TwitchCon 2017

TwitchCon at a new and better-connected venue.

Following the reveal of its new IRL section, streaming giant Twitch is hoping to attract more international visitors to this year’s TwitchCon by moving to a new, better-connected venue. TwitchCon 2017 will be held at the Long Beach Convention Entertainment Center in California from October 20th to 22nd. Continue reading Twitch reveals dates and new venue for TwitchCon 2017

Nvidia’s making it easy to broadcast video games direct to Facebook Live

But can Facebook stand head-to-head with Twitch?

Facebook keeps trying to steal the video game streaming market away from Twitch. The evidence? During its CES press conference on Wednesday, Nvidia announced that its graphics cards would soon be able to stream directly to Facebook Live.

The process is familiar. Facebook streaming will use Nvidia’s existing Shadowplay tech and the same “Share Overlay” found in GeForce Experience 3.0. You’ll just hit Alt-Z while playing a game, and then choose to stream to Facebook directly when the overlay pops up. It’ll be just one more option added to the interface. Continue reading Nvidia’s making it easy to broadcast video games direct to Facebook Live