Microsoft-owned live streaming service Mixer is getting axed next month, leaving the fate of several high-profile streamers up in the air.
Mixer—Microsoft’s supposed answer to the Twitch video game streaming platform—is being shut down, with the tech giant opting to collaborate with Facebook Gaming moving forward.
After being acquired by Microsoft in 2016, the streaming service had a hard time gaining ground despite luring in well-known gaming celebrities Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek and Richard Tyler “Ninja” Blevins from its competitor platform Twitch.
The streamers have the option to make the transition to Facebook Gaming with Microsoft, though no official decision has been made just yet.
We’re thankful to those of you that shared your passions with us.
We hope to see your positive, welcoming, and inclusive communities on @FacebookGaming.
Mixer will remain online and running until July 22nd.
Always, 💙
— Mixer (@WatchMixer) June 22, 2020
Xbox’s official statement
Phil Spencer—the head of the Xbox division over at Microsoft—explained the reason for Mixer’s closure through a lengthy blog post on the official Xbox website.
“It became clear that the time needed to grow our own livestreaming community to scale was out of measure with the vision and experiences we want to deliver to gamers now,” explained the executive.
“So we’ve decided to close the operations side of Mixer and help the community transition to a new platform.” Spencer then went on to discuss their partnership with Facebook, and how it allows their current Mixer streamers to make the move to Facebook Gaming as painless as possible if they choose to go that route.
During a recent interview with online publication The Verge, the Xbox Head admitted that Mixer was just too far behind viewer-wise compared to some of the more prominent streaming competitors, and believed that their community of streamers would benefit from Facebook’s much wider reach.
Grateful to Mixer Partners and streamers and viewers. Look forward to working with @FacebookGaming to transition and scale the Mixer community and help it thrive and using Project xCloud for future scenarios for watching and playing. https://t.co/sumNe4hn0R
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) June 22, 2020
What’s next for Shroud and Ninja
Ninja reached the peak of his popularity as a Fortnite streamer on the Twitch platform but was later pirated by Mixer due to issues with Twitch not respecting his desire to grow his brand outside of gaming.
The American streamer transitioned to Microsoft’s streaming service in August of last year, with renowned first-person shooter video game personality Shroud following shortly after.
According to well-known eSports consultant and leaker Rod “Slasher” Breslau, Facebook tried to persuade the two streamers to be part of the transition to Facebook Gaming by offering them nearly double the amount they received for their Mixer contracts.
Ninja and Shroud allegedly declined the deal, requesting a buy out from mixer and opting to be free agents instead.
Sources: Facebook offered an insane offer at almost double for the original Mixer contracts of Ninja and Shroud but Loaded/Ninja/Shroud said no and forced Mixer to buy them out. Ninja made ~$30M from Mixer, and Shroud made ~$10M
Ninja and Shroud are now free agents
— Rod "4475 SR & Immortal peak" Breslau (@Slasher) June 22, 2020
This news should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as the steamers have yet to make an official statement about where they’re heading next, though a return to Twitch would not be unlikely.
Both celebrities took it to Twitter shortly after the Mixer shutdown announcement to thank their fans and the Mixer community for all their support.
I love my community and what we built together on Mixer. I have some decisions to make and will be thinking about you all as I make them.
— Ninja (@Ninja) June 22, 2020
I appreciate the Mixer community and everything I’ve been able to do on the platform. I love you guys and am figuring out my next steps. 💙
— Michael Grzesiek (@shroud) June 22, 2020
While the futures of Mixer’s two most notable streamers remain up in the air, another celebrated streamer—Cory “King Gothalion” Michael—decided to take up Facebook on their offer and took his fans and his services over to Facebook Gaming.
First day on Facebook Gaming was wild. Crazy viewer engagement. Over 12k Follows. Very fun day and a lot of new folks met. Good vibes all around.
— Gothalion (@Gothalion) June 24, 2020
It’ll be exciting to see how the new partnership between Xbox and Facebook plays out, and the impact it will have on Microsoft’s upcoming xCloud video game streaming service.
Featured image courtesy of Facebook Gaming/Twitter