YouTube Gaming has finally arrived. As a web site and a brand-new service on YouTube dedicated to fans of video games, YouTube Gaming will compete now with Twitch to deliver the best videos, live or recorded, for gamers around the world.
Basically, the web site (https://gaming.youtube.com) and the app have the same look. The interface shows shortcuts to channels on both sides, a live video being shown, and with menus underneath from My Channels (channels you like and follow), Live (videos being streamed right now), and videos of games you may have selected earlier with your associated account. A red search bar appears on top, with an icon on the top right for users to log in.
Once you decide on a live stream to watch, the interface changes to one similar to Twitch’s, with a video on the big left side, and three tabs to select from on the right thin side (Details, Suggested, Chat). To go back to the main menu, touch the screen once to reveal the more of this interface; the down arrow will appear on the top left side.
Desktop users can also have the opportunity to get into streaming, just like people do in Twitch. With YTG, you can click on Go Live and select either that or Upload video.
Word of advice: Just like any content uploaded to YouTube, the live stream will also be monitored by YouTube’s highly controversial Content ID feature. Depending on who or what gets puts a copyright claim on a video, certain contents may get deleted or cut off from the live stream (giving a strike against your account), or remain on YT but ad revenues from the uploaded videos get to be shared with the copyright owner.
At least, Twitch does not scan most live broadcasts. Only videos-on-demand on Twitch get scanned and mutes videos if it finds flagged music content.
With this in mind, will gamers keep using Twitch as their primary game streaming service?