Mixer: Microsoft is shutting down its video game streaming platform
The companies declined to say how much the deal is worth. Facebook spokesperson Drew Symonds noted that it is a partnership “not a merger or an acquisition.” The spokesperson added that Facebook Gaming will assume the rights to the Mixer trademarks and associated domain names, but Microsoft will retain the intellectual property rights to the Mixer technology.
Mixer was downloaded around 3.4 million times by first-time users across the App Store and Google Play globally since the beginning of this year, a 23% decrease from the same period in the year prior, according to estimates from mobile app research firm Sensor Tower.
Starting on July 22, all Mixer sites and apps will redirect users to Facebook Gaming, the company said. It added that Mixer Partners — Mixer streamers who are able to monetize their content and enjoy perks such as priority support on the platform — will also be granted partner status with Facebook gaming, and the new platform will “honor and match all existing partner agreements as closely as possible.”
“Just like all Mixer Partners, Ninja, along with King Gothalion, Shroud and Ewok, are welcome to join Facebook Gaming,” Symonds said. “We want to give Mixer streamers the option to continue streaming on Facebook Gaming. No matter where they choose to stream, the world deserves their gaming content.”
A representative for Ninja did not immediately return a request for comment on whether he plans to switch to streaming on Facebook Gaming.
Still, there is big potential in combining the Mixer community with Facebook’s ability to grow platforms, said StreamElements CEO Doron Nir.
“Based on Facebook [Gaming’s] current trajectory, with the brand growing more than 100% in hours watched from March to May, this announcement is only going to add more momentum to their market share while providing the streaming community with better opportunities,” Nir said.