Microsoft is shuttering the Mixer service on July 22 and migrating the remnants to Facebook Gaming. This is a huge blow to the streaming platformer and even worse, it’s a positive move for Facebook.
The announcement confirms all Mixer partners and streamers will move to Facebook Gaming and that move begins today. To keep it simple: the numbers for Mixer have spiralling downwards for some time now, and even with the high-profile acquisitions that include exclusive streams from Ninja and Shroud, the numbers never caught up.
Speaking to The Verge, Phil Spencer admits that the platform’s monthly active viewers were low compared to other services. “We started pretty far behind, in terms of where Mixer’s monthly active viewers were compared to some of the big players out there,” says Phil Spencer, speaking with The Verge. “I think the Mixer community is really going to benefit from the broad audience that Facebook has through their properties, and the abilities to reach gamers in a very seamless way through the social platform Facebook has.”
What happens on July 22, you might be wondering. On that day, all Mixer sites and apps will redirect to Facebook Gaming. In addition, Microsoft plans on working with Facebook to implement xCloud on Facebook.
Another thing of note is that high-profile streamers Ninja and Shroud are now free to stream wherever they please, including Twitch. While we don’t have the details, the rumour is that all contracts will be paid out in full. Sounds like these streamers landed on their feet, with large sums of money to boot.
