In another move in what’s turning out to be a turbulent and exciting year for esports streaming, Los Angeles-based streaming platform Azubu is set to become an open platform. That means anyone will be able to create an account and start broadcasting their gameplay, in the same manner as industry leader Twitch.
This represents a radical change in strategy for the broadcaster. Azubu had traditionally focused on what it termed “premium content,” a clear attempt to distinguish itself from Twitch open-door policy. On its website, Azubu describes itself as “committed to providing curated, moderated, and premium content to our users. For that reason we only allow our roster of top pro players and teams to broadcast, ensuring viewers get the best possible quality and experience.”
In March, the Daily Dot report that Google-owned YouTube was gearing up to relaunch its livestreaming platform with a focus on gaming and esports. Now competitors are having to prepare for the changes to the landscape that will most likely bring. Sources close to Azubu say that the move to open platform at this juncture has the potential to swell the site’s userbase, creating improved opportunities for “discovery” from aspiring streamers who feel drowned out on Twitch’s platform.
The move will also come with a radical design overhaul. The company recently received another round of funding from its financial backers and a sizeable portion has been spent on improving the aesthetics of the site’s user interface.
The broadcaster is hoping that this overhaul and change in creative direction, internally dubbed Azubu 3.0, will be ready for launch as early as next month. Sources told us that while there was no definitive date as of yet, it would be “soon.”
