Xbox One Interactive Streaming App Beam Arrives for Some Testers Today

Insiders only.

Microsoft’s streaming service Beam is available for some Xbox One and Windows Insiders to try out today.

In an Xbox Wire post, Beam co-founder Matt Salsamendi announced the news and shed some more light on what Beam will be. While only select testers are able to use the app right now, Beam will be available to all Xbox One and Windows 10 players this spring.

Beam is basically making streaming directly from your console more like Twitch. Apparently you can both watch and play alongside the stream. They’re selling it as highly interactive with features like sound boards, but that’s about all of the interactivity they shared. Salsamendi said more details on Beam’s interactive features will come at GDC 2017, which takes place February 27th- March 3rd.

Something different from Twitch is the in-app currency viewers earn.

According to Salsamendi, “You’ll be able to browse, search and follow your favorite game streams, as well as earn Sparks and Experience Points (XP) while viewing. For those who are new to Beam, Sparks are in-app currency you can use to interact with streamers, unlock new emotes, get XP boosters, and more. For every minute you watch a stream, you earn two Sparks. Experience Points are a way to show how much you’ve watched streams – for every five minutes watching a stream you earn 10 XP.”

Salsamendi also announced Beam is officially partnering with ProperProductions, a team of eight YouTube gamers who stream every day. Beam will be partnering with other streamers, and Salsamendi promised more news on them soon.

I’m interested to see how Xbox One handles this interactive streaming directly from the console. I can see it being a huge mess, but I can also see it being a great step forward in streaming, if executed properly.

Do you have any thoughts on Beam, positive or negative? Let us know in the comments!