Seven weeks have passed since Google first started launching its trump card to battle game streaming giant Twitch, YouTube Gaming is getting a huge update to bring a more innovative experience to mobile gamers and a way for avid viewers and fans to support their favourite streamers.
The first major update to Google's gaming-specific branch of YouTube now allows its users to livestream Android games straight from their smartphones and tablets. Another subscription service for favourite YouTube gaming channels can now be financially supported by their fans.
The newest feature, called Mobile Capture on Android, lets its users directly stream from their mobile devices. This could be very useful for streamers who play Hearthstone, Kritika Online, Clash of Clans, LINE Dragonica Mobile, and other popular mobile games on the Android platform as it doesn't require additional equipment to work. Simply tapping on the user's avatar on their mobile device on the YouTube Gaming app will begin the streaming process. Users can also add in audio and video commentary to their streams by using the front camera of their mobile devices - think picture-in-picture (PIP) display to have an idea how it works. Users will also be able to check comments from their viewers as well.
The second feature, called Sponsorships allows eager fans and loyal viewers of popular livestreamers to pay a monthly subscription fee to get an exclusive content. The feature is currently in beta with a small group of creators. The list of beta channels is also continually being expanded as well, according to Barbara Macdonald, Product Manager of YouTube Gaming who also recently streamed Bad Piggies live.
Macdonald followed up with additional minor features that came with the update. Users can now easily see if there are live streams of games in their collection when they want, bookmarking with Watch Later is also now available, performance and design improvements, improved search navigation on iOS, and the capability to import existing subscriptions anytime from YouTube via Settings.
