Microsoft targets Beam Interactive for live streaming partnership
Microsoft has confirmed its acquisition of game streaming service Beam Interactive as it seeks to build a new live streaming service led by Team Xbox.
Unlike similar services, Beam is differentiated by enabling viewers to interact with the streamer via a series of crowd streamed controls, enabling them to direct the player to activate particular weapons or navigate a particular in-game route.
Microsoft doesn’t plan to make any immediate move to alter the successful format following its acquisition but rather pursue organic growth courtesy of the support and scale that access to Microsoft’s resources can provide.
Chad Gibson, partner group program manager at Xbox Live, said: “Bringing Beam, their award-winning team and their inventive technology into the Xbox family supports our ongoing commitment to make Xbox Live more social and fun. Using ‘Minecraft’ as one example, with Beam you don’t just watch your favorite streamer play, you play along with them. You can give them new challenges and make real-time choices that affect their gameplay.”
Beam founder and chief Matt Salsamendi will continue to lead the Beam division following its relocation to Microsoft’s Redmond campus within the Xbox engineering department.