YouTube launches 60fps live streaming in quest to take on Twitch

[IlluminAppti]

YouTube has made several moves to take on Twitch, the biggest name in video game live streaming, and today the company is rolling out another key feature to improve its service: live streams that run at 60 frames per second.

""Silky smooth playback for gaming.""

While the 60fps streaming isn't just for gaming content, YouTube notes that it will mean "silky smooth playback for gaming and other fast-action videos." The feature is available now as an "early preview," and will work in any browser that supports HTML5. "We'll also make your stream available in 30fps on devices where high frame rate viewing is not yet available," the company explains, "while we work to expand support in the coming weeks."

In addition to better-looking live streams, YouTube is also rolling out HTML5 playback, so that you'll be able to jump back in the middle of a live event in case you missed something. You can then speed up the stream to catch up. "These are the latest in a series of improvements we've been making to live streaming on YouTube and there are plenty left to come," the company says.

YouTube had previously attempted to acquire Twitch in order to gain a foothold in the lucrative world of video game streaming, but ultimately lost out to Amazon, which purchased the company for $970 million last August. The live streaming phenomenon has grown so prominent that even console makers like Microsoft are building in support for streamers. According to reports, YouTube will unveil its own in-house game streaming service at E3 in June, with a big focus on e-sports.

- theverge.com

Just out of interest. Would any of you be interested in this feature? Any of you currently on Twitch, considering maybe switching to YouTube?

I've been considering streaming for a while, now. But, I've heard TONS of horror stories in relation to Twitch (Swatting, IP addresses being released into the public and mass take-away deliveries sent to streamers, False donation pranks which resulted in streamers having to pay x amount to do refunds etc. etc.)

I think that I would feel more secure doing it on YouTube, than Twitch. Twitch seems quite dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing.

Just wondering what you all think...

 

[vivaleces]

Great with competition for both sites, that will drive the technology forward no doubt! I really think Youtube will take a massive share due to it's brand and like you said, feels its going to be much simpler.

 

[Deleted member 1668623]

The thing with Twitch....is now that Amazon owns them, things will get worse before they get better.

As for YouTube streaming....just stay away from streaming any Nintendo games as they will want their share of any money. YouTube is also still struggling to make any kind of money. They haven't made any kind of profit since it's origination.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[First-Order Games]

I had found it weird that Google had left such a big hole in the market and allowed Twitch to rise up the way it did. They clearly weren't paying attention. But they are now and I think their new initiative will do well for them. Users flock to what works best and is the easiest to use. Youtube has that side of things down, and a massive audience that isn't going anywhere. It will be interesting to watch. I'm also curious about mobile streaming. There are several small services competing to become "the one" right now. Youtube could squash them all by adding mobile streaming functionality to their features.