The Meta Quest range of headsets is most certainly a forward thinking platform. However, VR is also a nascent technology. That means in many regards, it’s still playing catch-up with other platforms when it comes to expected functionality. One such function is that of live streaming, which UK team BeamXR are hoping to change with the launch of BeamXR Live.
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What is BeamXR Live?
BeamXR Live is a software kit designed to provide a solution for live streaming in VR. It allows users to stream any VR or MR experience directly from their headset to Twitch or YouTube. What sets BeamXR Live apart however, is that it’s an all-in-one solution, with no PC or external hardware required. BeamXR Live works across the entire Meta Quest content library, ensuring support for every title. What’s more, BeamXR Live is available now on the Meta Horizon store for free.
The software was built by a small indie team in the UK, who state that the idea came from ‘frustration with existing tools’ and a drive to offer something better; more aligned with how people actually play and share in XR. With BeamXR Live now in Early Access, the team aims to empower streamers and developers to share immersive gameplay.
Live Streaming Suite
Of course, modern streaming isn’t simply a case of putting out a video feed. Many streamers want to have a direct connection with their audiences, which calls for more immediacy than is typically afforded with VR streaming. As such, BeamXR Live provides a full suite of features designed exactly for this purpose.
Details of the functionality of BeamXR Live follow below, verbatim from BeamXR:
- The software offers implementation for both Twitch and YouTube chat in VR, meaning creators can now interact with their audience in real time with an in-headset chat overlay.
- Everything happens inside the headset. From launching your stream, to reading your chat. There is no need to mirror through a PC or rely on clunky workarounds.
- The application is in its early access phase, with the team actively building and implementing new features, encouraging users and the streaming community to help shape the roadmap of the product with feedback directly influencing upcoming features.
- Completely FREE to use. While we are building out Pro level features, we will always have a free access tier for streaming with no usage limits. BeamXR Live is built for the community and this will remain a pillar in everything we do.
Furthermore, if you’re a developer currently working on a Meta Quest title, BeamXR Live offers a Native SDK. Known as BeamXR InGame, this SDK gives developers the tools to integrate native recording, streaming and cinematic camera controls directly into their games. BeamXR InGame is presented as a separate product from BeamXR.
BeamXR Live Launch
As stated above, BeamXR Live is available now for free. You can download it via the Meta Horizon Store.
While gaming is of course a jumping off point for BeamXR Live, the developers insist there is much more functionality beyond this. For example, the platform is also being used for training and remote support, using the same real-time streaming and communication tools. AI features are in development to help automate content creation, tagging, and review across both gameplay and enterprise use cases.
Have you been looking for a simpler solution for VR live streaming? Does BeamXR Live provide the functionality you’ve been missing? Let us know in the comments below!
