RIP the dream
You know, if we said this would happen months ago, no one would have believed it. Yet, this is exactly what we mentioned months ago and fairly recent regarding Microsoft killing off Mixer if it didn’t start pulling in viewers. Just like that, the plug has been pulled, and Mixer is now on life support until all of the current partners and non-partner accounts are relocated to Facebook Gaming. Yes, folks, Mixer is dead. (Source)
All of which is part of a new “Strategic Partnership” with the social media giant. Of course, this also means that Mixer’s few names managed to snag from Twitch, namely Ninja, Shroud, and Gothalion, are all free to stream where ever they like. Microsoft and Facebook aren’t forcing them to tag along for the ride, and their contracts have been fulfilled. Yes, that means they got paid whatever was in thier contracts. I might add pretty sweet for them, being left loose from their contact and tons of money.
As for the other Mixer streamers, those who weren’t household names? Those people are getting the short end of the stick, and it hurts to see this happen. People who either left Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or Facebook Gaming and found a home on Mixer, and managed to make a name for themselves now have to start over. Over the course of streaming on Mixer, I’ve come to know many of these individuals by watching streams and conversing with them.
“Our goal is to build a positive, welcoming, and inclusive team and community. To those sharing your stories; it’s unacceptable that we did not provide that for you. We’ll be vigilant in addressing this more diligently in the future.”
As for what will happen to them, many of them are still navigating these uncharted waters. Many of them now are playing it by ear, with a number of them not too thrilled about possibly moving over to Facebook and for a good reason. At the same time, a number of them were on Twitch and left for various reasons. It seems now there are not many places to go now that Mixer is out of the picture.
One thing is for sure, this part of Microsoft’s streaming journey is over and possibly all too soon. I can’t say we didn’t see this coming, but we did. The lack of advertising, the lack of focus, not listing to the majority of the streamers on the platform, and the toxic ongoing behind the scenes are more recent. What hurts more than anything is that Microsoft is clamoring like this is a positive thing. No, it is far from positive. Facebook is a non-trustworthy cesspool, and there’s a reason why the company is constantly in the headlines. For Microsoft to think for one moment that anyone on the Mixer platform willingly wants to go over to Facebook is beyond me.
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 about the smaller streamers? What about the streamers who aren’t Ninja? The ones that didn’t know what was going on and were doing their thing, and suddenly it hits them that the ride is over? What are they supposed to do? I’m sure they’re currently assessing the recent turn of events and likely aren’t too happy either right now. Not to mention the staffers, where are they going to go now? Mixer already had one round of layoffs, and now we’re seeing more people being let go. People who just found out about this recent mess today. This is terrible no matter who you look at this.
To add insult to injury, you won’t even be able to stream to Facebook Gaming from Xbox. But isn’t this supposed to be a partnership? The only place to stream after Mixer is dead and gone is Twitch, so even if you wanted to stream on Facebook Gaming, you couldn’t. Not unless you have a capture card/device.
I won’t go on about how I feel about this because this dead horse has been beaten repeatedly. Mixer is officially dead, Facebook Gaming isn’t the answer, and the ride is over. Mixer’s last date is July 22, 2020, of which the lights will be turned off, and the URL will redirect to Facebook Gaming.
Actually, I will go about my feelings. I’m frustrated! I’m pissed! I feel let down because Microsoft was acting like Mixer was going to be the next big thing and that they were in it for the long haul, and then this shit happens. I trusted them, I took the red pill, and I was hoping that I’d have better success on a platform that wasn’t as saturated and toxic as Twitch, yet here we are. I should have taken the damned blue pill and told Microsoft to shove it.
This situation makes me feel upset, Microsoft.
