YouTube Gaming was a dedicated video gaming platform created by YouTube for gaming videos and live streaming.
Launch Details
- Launched: August 26, 2015
- Purpose: Compete with major gaming platforms such as:
- Twitch
- Facebook Gaming
- Mixer
Main Features
YouTube Gaming served as a specialized hub for gaming content, including:
- Live game streams
- Uploaded gaming videos
- Gaming communities
- Game-specific browsing
- Creator-focused gaming content
Platform Goal:
To centralize gaming-related content within YouTube and attract gamers, streamers, and esports audiences.
Industry Competition
YouTube Gaming was designed to rival:
- Amazon-owned Twitch
- Facebook Gaming
- Microsoft’s Mixer
Shutdown and Integration
Announcement:
- September 2018: Google announced plans to discontinue the standalone app
Official Shutdown:
- May 30, 2019
What Happened Next:
- YouTube Gaming was merged into the main YouTube platform
- Gaming content became a dedicated category inside standard YouTube rather than a separate app
Legacy
Although the standalone app was discontinued, YouTube continues to support gaming through:
- YouTube Live
- Gaming creator channels
- Game streaming
- Gaming recommendations
- Dedicated gaming sections within YouTube
YouTube Gaming was an effort to build a focused gaming ecosystem within YouTube but was eventually consolidated into the broader platform to streamline user experience while still supporting gaming audiences.
