Windows 10 Creators Update integrates game broadcasting and tournament organisation

Microsoft held a live event in Manhattan, New York, announcing a slew of new technological products. Among these announcements was the Windows 10 Creators Update, which is expected to arrive for free to all users next year. The Creators Update brings three gaming oriented features to Windows 10. These are game broadcasting, tournament organisation, and bitstream audio pass-through on the Xbox One and Xbox One S. [caption id=“attachment_320157” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: NeoGaf[/caption] Earlier this year, Microsoft acquired videogame streaming startup Beam . Videogame broadcast and consumption of live-streams has seen a surge of activity in recent times. People watch streams for many reasons. This may include finding out the graphical quality of the game, check out if the game is worth a purchase, to learn how to navigate an unfamiliar map, to find out how to raid a box, or just for pure fun.  The first major announcement was that Microsoft would integrate Beam into the operating system with the Creators Update. This makes casting any game extremely easy. A persistent toolbar shows the stream as well as a chat window. Xbox users can form networks and community called clubs based on various factors including location and interest. Friends, and the members of these clubs will get notified every time you start streaming. This gives streamers an instant audience. [caption id=“attachment_343824” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Viewers can prompt the gamers to take actions. Image: Microsoft.[/caption]   There is a bar of prompts below the game window, which enhances the interactivity for those viewing the games. They can prod the player into taking certain actions. The buttons for these prompts can be customised according to the game. In a demonstration for Forza Horizon 4, a player was asked by the Microsoft representative to go off road. The buttons appear only on the side of the viewer, the player will hear a pre-recorded audio prompt, without any visual interruption to the gameplay. The livestreams can be consumed on the Xbox consoles, Windows 10 PCs and Smartphones. [caption id=“attachment_343825” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Organising tournaments is trivially easy now. Image: Microsoft.[/caption] The second major announcement was a measure to democratise e-sports. Currently, gaming tournaments are organised by the game developers themselves or by professional tournament organisers. The Tournament creation feature allows any user to quickly host a tournament. Tracking of the scores and performance is done automatically. Users just have to pick a game, a gameplay mode, give the tournament a name, and set the start and end timings. The machine takes care of the rest. [caption id=“attachment_343827” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Dolby Atmos support. Image: Microsoft.[/caption] Finally, the third major announcement was that the Xbox One and the Xbox One S are getting an update that makes them an even more powerful multimedia hub for the home. Blue Ray playback will have bitstream audio pass-through, with support for Dolby Atmos. This is a move that will excite audio and home theater enthusiasts. The feature will work on videos, as well as games that support it.