XSplit
XSplit is a live streaming and video-mixing application developed and maintained by SplitmediaLabs. It is mostly used for capturing gameplay for live streaming or video recording purposes. A Steam version was published by Devolver Digital on 12 June 2016.
Developer(s) | SplitmediaLabs |
---|---|
Initial release | 13 April 2012 |
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Available in | 10 languages |
Type | Live streaming, screencast |
License | Proprietary |
Website | xsplit |
As of | June 13, 2016 |
Overview
There are two products under XSplit: XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster.
XSplit Broadcaster, acts as a video mixer, where it is able to switch between various media configurations (also known as “scenes”) while dynamically mixing it with other sources such as video cameras, screen regions, game capture, and flash sources. These sources are used to create a broadcast production for both live and on-demand distribution on the web.
XSplit Gamecaster, on the other hand, is a turnkey live streaming and recording application, designed for casual gamers who immediately want to start live streaming or recording their gameplay with minimal setup and configuration.
History
XSplit started in 2009 when SplitmediaLabs merged with Hmelyoff Labs. It was initially a screen capture product, which eventually became a livestreaming application and was called XSplit Broadcaster.
XSplit Broadcaster
In December 2010, SplitmediaLabs announced that XSplit would go into public beta. It was during this time that it gained popularity, largely due to word of mouth from its users. It was also widely discussed on the message board of Team Liquid, a professional electronic sports organization.
XSplit Broadcaster 1.0 was officially released on 13 April 2012, which formally marked the end of its public beta period. The release also marked the start of its freemium pricing scheme, which was met with mixed reactions.
Shortly before releasing XSplit Broadcaster version 1.1, SplitmediaLabs and AVerMedia made their partnership official. It centered around AVerMedia shipping three-month licenses of XSplit along with their Live Gamer HD C985 capture card.
In August 2012, XSplit 1.1 was released. It contained bug fixes, enhancements for existing features and introduced new features for paying users.
XSplit Broadcaster 1.2 became publicly available in January 2013. This update included enhancements in performance and support for new hardware devices such as Elgato Game Capture HD.[1]
XSplit Broadcaster 1.3 was released in November 2013. This version contained security fixes to prevent login issues reported by some users. Apart from this, the update also contained full Twitch platform compatibility for all users, improved Game Source compatibility with games such as Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Hearthstone, etc., and enhanced capture card support for AVerMedia, Hauppauge, Elgato, Matrox, and other cards.
XSplit Gamecaster
In December 2013, an early preview version of XSplit Gamecaster was shared to the public. In January 2014, a preview of XSplit Gamecaster was shared to members of the press,[2] with a full version being made publicly available in February of that same year.[3]
XSplit Gamecaster was initially only available to users who purchased a license for XSplit Broadcaster, however, a free version was added later on.
A partnership between MSI and XSplit was also established in March, where newly released MSI gaming hardware would feature XSplit Gamecaster pre-installed and configured.
XSplit V2
In the middle of November 2014, XSplit V2 was released to the general public. Prior to the release, users were only able to try out the public beta and report bugs through the support forum.
XSplit V2 which stands for XSplit version 2 was a major update for both XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster. Aside from the aesthetic improvements, the major change in this version was marked by making features that were previously only available to paid users also available to free users.
It also contained new features such as Scene Preview Editor, Express Video Editor, Audio Monitor, Web Page URL Source, etc.[4]
Acquisitions
On 14 July 2016, SplitmediaLabs acquired tournament platform Challonge and social service Player.me,[5] and acquired Strexm on 28 September 2016.
References
- SplitmediaLabs (15 January 2013). "SplitmediaLabs Announces the Release of XSplit Broadcaster 1.2". Yahoo! Finance. Marketwire. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- North, Dale (22 January 2014). "XSplit Gamecaster makes game streaming so easy". Destructoid. ModernMethod. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- SplitmediaLabs (19 February 2014). "SplitmediaLabs Releases XSplit Gamecaster and Updates XSplit Broadcaster 1.3". Gamasutra. UBM TechWeb. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- Williams, Mike (13 March 2015). "XSplit v2 Is the Answer "When You're Looking to Level up" from OBS". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- "Xsplit company acquires social service Player.me and tournament platform Challonge". 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.