Yesterday, popular streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins started his first livestream on YouTube since Microsoft’s streaming platform Mixer was announced to be shutting down soon. That decision from the US-based giant fueled speculation about what will be the next platform for Ninja to stream.
Ninja’s first-ever livestream on YouTube attracted more than 100,000 viewers. However, he didn’t reveal anything about his future streaming plans, nor did he announced his partnership with YouTube. In comparison, the 1vs1 TDM showdown between CarryMinati and MortaL in March was seen by more than 200,000 viewers on CarryMinati’s channel while MortaL also attracted over 180,000 viewers to his stream.
Before leaving for Mixer under an exclusive contract, Ninja made a name for himself for playing Fortnite on Twitch. However, Microsoft announced last month that it was partnering with Facebook for livestreaming and shutting down its own livestreaming service Mixer. Therefore, streamers who had contracts with Mixer was offered to negotiate new deals with Facebook, but Ninja turned down that offer. After shutting down July 22, Mixer will merge with Facebook Gaming, and those who visit Mixer will be redirected to Facebook’s streaming platform.
“I love my community and what we built together on Mixer,” said Ninja on his tweet after Microsoft announced Mixer’s closure. “I have some decisions to make and will be thinking about you all as I make them.”
Shortly after the tweet, Ninja updated his Twitch page and added information about Riot’s new FPS game called “Valorant” that he already streamed on Mixer. According to esports insider Rod “Slasher” Breslau, Ninja hasn’t signed an exclusive deal to any platform yet and it is unlike that any of those major platforms want to sign a big deal considering the world is going through heavy impacts of the COVID pandemic.