Google is going to kick off YouTube Gaming's next big update during one of the game industry's biggest events of the year. The update will bring special event hubs to video game streaming platform and Google will give them their first field tests on June 12, the start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
Despite several high-profile publishers and developers opting to hold their press conferences offsite, E3 remains one of the most important events for the industry and is only edged out by Germany's Gamescom in terms of scale. But E3, along with its satellite events, is still the more recognizable of the two and tends to deliver more game reveals.
E3 covers three days, four when counting the Sunday pre-shows heading into the main event. The news of new games, remastered games, ports of games and near completed games would swamp YouTube Gaming in its current format and could cause gamers to miss lots of content early on.
YouTube Gaming was around last year and was announced on June 12, which happens to be the start date for E3 this year. But with Twitch serving as E3's official streaming partner, Google is working to make sure YouTube Gaming gives gamers no reason to go elsewhere.
"A home for live streams and on-demand videos, the YouTube Gaming E3 hub will put all our E3 coverage in one place," says Google. "You'll be able to browse videos and streams, chat live with fellow gamers, vote for your favorite trailers in the legendary Trailer Battle, and catch up on announcements you might have missed."
YouTube Gaming's coverage of E3 will begin on Sunday, June 12 as it syndicates Bethesda and EA's press conferences, and will be wrapped with post-event coverage from Rooster Teeth. That'll be followed by Monday's 12-hour YouTube Live at E3 stream, which will cover all of the day's big presentations and will be home to supporting content such as developer interviews.
"Live at E3 will bring you the live coverage of press conferences you crave along with developer interviews, live let's plays of new games you won't find anywhere else, and surprise guests like MatPat, iHasCupquake and CaptainSparklez," Google says.
