Twitch Live Game Broadcasting Coming to Xbox One


Recommended Posts

Twitch Live Game Broadcasting Coming to Xbox One

 
LOS ANGELES February 25, 2014 (AP)
By DERRIK J. LANG AP Entertainment Writer
 
Xbox One will soon be Twitchier than the PlayStation 4.
 

The popular video game broadcasting service Twitch is bringing a slew of fresh features to Microsoft's newest console. An update next month will add the ability to live stream video games, join in on games with broadcasters, initiate game broadcasts with voice commands, archive game clips and watch Twitch streams broadcast from any device, including the PS4.

 

Previously, Xbox One users could only spectate Twitch streams and record game clips with the system's Upload app.

 

"It's complete integration," said Emmett Shear, co-founder and CEO of Twitch. "It's exciting because we've never had the ability to broadcast from a console like this with such a deep level of integration. The concept of being able to join a broadcasters' party is really cool, and it's another step in the direction of interacting more closely with broadcasters."

 

The updated Twitch app will also include Twitch's chat features and the ability for users to broadcast from their living rooms with Xbox One's camera-based Kinect system. It's scheduled to launch alongside the March 11 debut of "Titanfall," the much-anticipated man-versus-machine shooter being released exclusively for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.

 

It's good news for Xbox One players, but what took so long?

 

The update is coming months after Microsoft Corp. rival Sony Corp. included Twitch streaming capabilities when it launched its PlayStation 4 ahead of the Xbox One last November. However, the PS4 version of Twitch ? which Shear noted was crafted by Sony, not Twitch ? only permits PS4 users to spectate other PS4s and doesn't allow them to easily connect.

 

"That's a very certain type of experience," said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's vice president of marketing and strategy for Xbox. "For us, we thought that was too limiting for what our fans would want. Our fans really want the full next-gen service, so that's why we decided to take our time, do it right and have it come out in this fashion."

 

Twitch, which features one million live broadcasters and 45 million viewers a month, has become an ESPN for gamers. The service's live and recorded broadcasts include such content as comically narrated clips of games, matches from seasoned e-sports athletes, "speed runs" ? clips of players plowing through games ? and streams of everyday gamers playing online.

 

"This will open up the social aspect of Xbox One in a new way," Mehdi said. "The community of Twitch is huge, and this allows us to type into that, and frankly do something that's never been done before on consoles. You'll be able to broadcast to any device and consume anyone's broadcast from any device. It's a console experience unique to the Xbox One."

 

Microsoft and Sony have both billed their latest consoles as more social and interactive machines with no technological barriers to sharing live game footage because the PS4 and Xbox One, which respectively sold 4.2 and 3 million units worldwide last year, don't require additional technology like video capture hardware to stream content. It's built in.

 

Twitch said last month that 20 percent of its broadcasts between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3 were from PS4 owners and that more than 1.7 million streams have been broadcast through PS4 since the console's Nov. 15 launch. Shear said he hopes the new capabilities of Twitch's app Xbox One will eventually come to other devices, including the PS4.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/twitch-live-game-broadcasting-coming-xbox-22660524

 

Glad to see Microsoft made sure that the Twitch experience was going to be top notch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does it also come with the great 30 second broadcast delay? 

 

"OK guys. I just did something awesome right now. In 30 seconds, let me know what you think."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does it also come with the great 30 second broadcast delay? 

 

"OK guys. I just did something awesome right now. In 30 seconds, let me know what you think."

 

That is a feaure of Twitch that all devices experience. It's to protect from stream sniping etc as well as performance reasons.

 

What was the source of this news btw?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a feaure of Twitch that all devices experience. It's to protect from stream sniping etc as well as performance reasons.

What was the source of this news btw?

ABC News. Will post link soon. In car right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I copy pasted my title from source! But thanks for reminding others!

 

I'm reminding you. The title is 'Twitch Live Game Broadcasting Coming to Xbox One' not 'Xbox One will soon be Twitchier than the PlayStation 4'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm reminding you. The title is 'Twitch Live Game Broadcasting Coming to Xbox One' not 'Xbox One will soon be Twitchier than the PlayStation 4'.

 

To be fair, that is the hook from the article - it's not like he made that up.

 

I'm still not sure what the big deal about Twitch is, but I suppose this is great news for those that use it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To be fair, that is the hook from the article - it's not like he made that up.

 

I'm still not sure what the big deal about Twitch is, but I suppose this is great news for those that use it.

 

I know, I have no problem with it being included. It's still in OP, but it wasn't the title.

 

No more discussion on it thanks, it's been sorted (Y)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like the app will work smoothly. Let's hope it works that well once it is actually released.

I like using the share button on the ps4 to quickly use Twitch (among other things) becuase its just so quick and seamless. I'm glad that it looks like MS found a way to offer a quick way to access Twitch as well via the voice comamnds while your in a game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I viewed twitch before briefly but haven't quite understood a reason to watch someone else play games, just doesn't seem quite as fun for some reason.

I dont quite understand it either but I believe its about the social interaction and for the broadcaster being the center of attention.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont quite understand it either but I believe its about the social interaction and for the broadcaster being the center of attention.

 

streamers can literally make a living off of playing games so that's their motivation. Some use it as entry into the industry be it live casting competitions or community roles. Others do it on the side from their YT channels where they also play/review games or create mini series. There's a lot more entertainment involved than just watching someone play a game. The only time I think people take an interest in that side is when the game has yet to be released or it's a competition i.e LoL/ FGC streams.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Xbox One version of Twitch is a higher quality stream than it's competitor:

 

http://bgr.com/2014/03/04/xbox-one-twitch-stream-quality/

 

The resolution of the broadcast was determined to be 1280 x 720, running at 30 frames-per-second and a bitrate of 2.5 Mbps. A typical PS4 stream comes in at 960 x 540, 30 fps and around 1.7 Mbps. Along with the boost in quality, Xbox One streamers will also be able to view the chat without showing it on the stream, will be able to speak in party chat without broadcasting the audio, and most importantly, will have the ability to archive their streams on Twitch.tv.

 

Nice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.