On June 22, 2020 Microsoft’s live game streaming service, Mixer, made a stunning announcement. After 4 years of building out its channel for gamers and its beloved community of streamers and fans, they were shutting down. As millions of Mixer active users, and even their own employees were blindsided by the news, it begged the question that was on everyone’s mind- how could this have happened to Microsoft, one of the most powerful and endemic gaming companies in the world?
Featuring special guest Phil Ranta CEO of Wormhole Labs, previously Head of Gaming Creators, North America at Facebook, and the Head of Creators at Mobcrush.
Episode Sources:
The fall of Microsoft’s Mixer and the fate of its exiles
Microsoft shuts down Mixer, partners with Facebook for gaming streams
Mixer co-founders depart as Microsoft’s game streaming service battles Amazon’s Twitch
Microsoft will shut down Mixer on July 22, transition users to Facebook Gaming
Microsoft to close game-streaming service Mixer
New Report Explains Why Mixer Failed
WE FINALLY KNOW WHY MIXER FAILED
MICROSOFT REVEALS THE TRAGIC NEWS ABOUT MIXER
Ninja details the shortcomings, failure of Mixer
Were Ninja and Shroud the Reason Behind the Mixer Shutdown?
Mixer’s failure has left desperate streamers trapped in the void
Phil Spencer has “no regrets” over Microsoft’s Mixer failure
Were Ninja and Shroud the Reason Behind the Mixer Shutdown?
Special Guest
Phil Ranta
Chief Executive Officer at Wormhole Labs
Phil is a pioneer of the digital media revolution, working as a pre-YouTube professional web video producer in 2005, video content app creator before the smartphone revolution in 2007, an early exec in the MCN boom with two successful exits, and as the Head Gaming Creators at Facebook and Mobcrush, driving the live streaming and the creator-driven media paradigm shift. Currently, as CEO of Wormhole Labs, Phil is helping to create a live simulation of the real world created by the power of the crowd.
Previously, Phil was the Head of Gaming Creators, North America at Facebook and the Head of Creators at Mobcrush. In both roles, the departments saw significant growth working with top game streaming talent including Ronda Rousey, Disguised Toast, Corinna Kopf, Shroud, and Nate Hill, to name a few.