Microsoft is closing down Mixer, its live streaming service for games, and shifting users to Facebook Gaming, the technology giant’s Xbox division said on Monday.
Microsoft bought Mixer in 2016, hoping to rope in millions of paying subscribers looking to watch live streams of their favourite gamers competing in e-sports or playing popular video games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Even booking popular videogame streamer Tyler Blevins was not enough for Microsoft to close in on Twitch’s lead
However, despite online streaming viewership booming under coronavirus lockdowns, Mixer has struggled to leave the shadow of market leader Twitch, owned by Amazon.com.
Even booking popular videogame streamer Tyler Blevins, who goes by the online moniker “Ninja”, was not enough for Microsoft to close in on Twitch’s lead.
Microsoft, whose latest generation Xbox console is slated for launch later this year, said it will now focus on developing its XCloud videogame streaming service and integrating it with Facebook’s gaming app.
