An anonymous reader shares a GeekWire report: Microsoft’s Xbox group announced Thursday that it has acquired Seattle-based interactive game streaming service Beam, bringing the Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant into an arena dominated by Amazon’s Twitch. Microsoft said in a blog post the deal will help make Xbox more social and interactive. Beam launched in January, with a goal of giving people watching gamers the ability to participate in the experience. Viewers can affect gameplay by presenting new challenges and quests using visual controls.

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Source: Slashdot – Microsoft Acquires Beam Game Streaming Service, Embracing Alternative To Amazon’s Twitch