Livestreaming service Beam was acquired by Microsoft in August last year to provide enhanced game streaming services to players on the Xbox One and Windows 10. Many described this as Microsoft’s answer to Twitch, the popular game streaming service that’s owned by Amazon. Testing for the service on Microsoft’s platform started with select users last month and now Microsoft is kicking things up a notch by releasing the Beam app for Xbox One to those who are in the Insiders program for its gaming console.
Like we’ve seen in previous app trials, only select members of the Xbox Insider Program will be able to put the Beam app for Xbox One through its paces. Those who have access to it will be able to use Beam in order to livestream their gaming sessions on the Xbox One.
Once they have downloaded the app, the Insiders need to find the Beam menu icon in the Guide button to start broadcasting. They’ll find options for muting and unmuting the microphone, camera position, chat, and overlay in the settings menu.
The Beam app for Xbox One enables users to watch and interact with the streamers that they follow in almost real time and just like the desktop version, viewing streams in Beam for Xbox One generates the platform’s Sparks currency and XP. Beam says that it will add additional ways for viewers to interact with streams which will be properly detailed at the GDC 2017 that takes place in a few weeks from now.