Microsoft Mixer partners angered over sudden shutdown say they’re going to defect to Twitch instead of transitioning to Facebook Gaming
- Mixer users say they’re leaning toward Twitch after an announced closure
- The defection to Twitch comes in spite of Mixer’s attempt to migrate to Facebook Gaming
- Major streamers like Ninja have yet to commit to Facebook Gaming
Patrons of Microsoft’s game-streaming platform Mixer may not fall in line with the company’s plans to migrate them to Facebook Gaming.
According to a report from The Verge, many Mixer partners have expressed interest in joining the Amazon-owned Twitch in the wake of Microsoft’s announcement that Mixer would be shut down next month.
Of the 30 partners interviewed by The Verge after Mixer’s announcement, only one committed to switching to Facebook Gaming.
Facebook Gaming was attempting to court partners from Mixer by offering them $2,500 according to a report on Twitter
That exodus from Mixer to Twitch is reportedly taking place despite Facebook’s attempt to court partners with a $2,500 signup bonus.
While many of the partners interviewed by The Verge say they’ll be defecting to Twitch – by far the biggest platform of its kind – major streamers like Ninja, who joined Mixer last year, have yet to commit.
Ninja, whose real name is Tyler Blevins, left Twitch last year on a deal with Microsoft that was reportedly worth between $20 to $30 million.
Microsoft announced an expedited shutdown of Mixer this week, saying that it will close up shop on July 22.
It also said that it will transition all of its partners to Facebook Gaming immediately. Customers with credit or outstanding Mixer subscriptions will be credited with Xbox gift cards.
According to the company, its decision was fueled by a lack of demand for the service, especially in the face of competitors like Amazon’s Twitch and YouTube.
Additionally, however the move of partnering with Facebook Gaming was meant to be a strategic one.
Theoretically, the partnership could help set up Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, xCloud by helping the company find an audience via Facebook’s platform.