Microsoft made an interesting move in August 2016 when it acquired interactive livestreaming service Beam. The purchase seemingly cemented the company’s promise to better support its revenue-generating gaming customers, a promise that saw an integration of game broadcasting in the Creators Update for Windows 10. Microsoft renamed the service to Mixer in May 2017 while injecting it with new features. Here’s our handy guide on how to stream on Mixer.
Creating an account
Chances are, you’re reading this guide on a Windows 10 PC. That makes the process of creating a Mixer account easier given that Microsoft owns the service. When you hit the “Sign Up” button, a window will appear sporting a “Sign up with your Microsoft account” button. Click on it, and provide the credentials that you use to sign into Windows 10 (if you use a Microsoft account), or the Xbox One console.
Once that’s done, your Windows 10 PC and Xbox One are automatically linked to Mixer, and ready to stream to the service. You won’t need to provide any stream keys – unique numbers that ties your broadcast channel to the output of your software – unless you option to use third-party software instead of the integrated tools in Windows 10 and Xbox One.
One factor we’d like to point out is that although Mixer is free to use, there is a “premium” version for $8 per month. This subscription provides you with premium technical support, early access to new features, the removal of advertisements, and a 2x experience (EXP) multiplier. This EXP system is means for unlocking new features — the more you watch and broadcast, the more features you can unlock.
In addition to experience points, you generate an on-site currency called “sparks” when you stream or watch another broadcast on Mixer. This virtual currency can be used to enable games like Minecraft, purchase apps created by the Mixer community, and even create a team from a group of friends who stream together.
Outside the broadcasting aspect of your new Mixer channel, the customization portion is limited to setting your avatar, your channel intro, and adding social profiles. Your account also provides an analytics section for viewing your broadcasting statistics, such as the number of followers, how many views you’ve raked in, and the number of hours streamed. The “Your Network” section simply lists all the broadcasters you’re following.
That all said, it’s time to broadcast!
Microsoft announced it has rebranded it's game streaming platform Beam to 'Mixer' as it sets to take on on Amazon's Twitch.tv. With a host of new features and some new mobile apps coming soon, Mixer hopes it be the next big thing when it comes to game streaming services.
Mixer Launch Party
According to Windows Central, today marks the beginning of a massive marketing push for Mixer. Microsoft is aiming to make Mixer the ultimate place to view E3 2017 coverage, with exclusive reveals and interviews, huge giveaways, and more. Mixer will also have its own booth at E3 in Los Angeles next month for the first time, introducing itself to the world as a standalone entity, rather than a simple Xbox Live feature.
Mixer is going to stream for six hours to celebrate the relaunch of the service starting at 11 am PT (2 pm EST/7 pm BST) and culminating in a special interactive firework display at around 9.30 pm PT (12.30 am EST/ 5:30 am BST).
Mixer App
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The Mixer app is where you can go to watch streamers, follow your favorite streamers, and even interactive with them via chat and special interactive features like emotes. Plus, you can even support the streamers you like by tipping them or donating to their linked accounts if they have that set up. To use any of the interactive features, you'll need to log in to your account or create a new one throught Twitter or by using your Microsoft account.
Mixer Create App
Mixer Create is the service's take on live feed streaming. Users will be able to stream their camera directly to Mixer, similar to Twitter's Periscope or Facebook Live, broadcasting live across Xbox, the respective Mixer apps, and the Mixer website. Plus, Microsoft has promised that a big part of Mixer Create will be the ability to live stream your phone's screen, meaning you could show the entire world how well your hunt for a Dragonite in Pokémon GO is going.
No exact word on when the screen recording. streaming feature will launch, Microsoft has only said it's coming soon. Mixer Create is currently rolling out on iOS and Android today, and we will update the article with the download link as soon as it is available.
If you want to know even more about Mixer, and the furte it holds for Xbox and Microsoft, our friends at Windows Central have all the analysis you'll need!
Are you excited for Mixer and Mixer Create?
Let me know in the comments below!
How To Get Views On Mixer
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