YouTube Gaming launches mobile capture, sponsorships

YouTube has rolled out mobile capture for YouTube Gaming, allowing users to record and live-stream mobile gameplay direct from Android devices.

The new functionality is part of a set of new and improved features, including fan funding and sponsorships, which YouTube is currently testing on the games service.

With mobile capture, gamers can tap ‘Go Live’ in the YouTube Gaming app and turn on their selfie cam to record commentary with their phone’s microphone.

Fan funding and sponsorships means that for a monthly payment, sponsors receive “extra perks” including a live chat badge and access to exclusive chat sessions.

YouTube is currently beta testing this with a small group of content creators and said it will “continuously expand the list of beta channels.”

Other new YouTube Gaming features include easier video bookmarking with ‘Watch Later’, improved performance and a redesigned watch page and better search navigation on iOS by remembering previous searches.

The newly updated YouTube Gaming app is available now on the Google Play and Apple App Store in the US and UK.

YouTube launched its dedicated gaming-focused video service in the UK and US in August, in a move that put it head-to-head with Amazon-owned rival Twitch.