Microsoft : Mixer’s Darwin Project comes to open beta on Windows 10 PC, launching later in 2018 on Xbox One

Interactivity has been a part of Mixer from its inception. Over the last 10 months, we've watched game developers delight viewers with a range of new content experiences, from crowd-controlled text-based dungeon crawling in Death's Door, to making stealth puzzle games like Hello Neighbor easier (or more difficult). Today, Mixer interactivity includes a portfolio of 10 titles and is our unique approach to streamer and viewer engagement. We're seeing experiences unfold that redefine what it means to be a viewer or player.

Whether you're a battle royale pro, a fan of 'The Hunger Games' franchise, or simply enjoy new game experiences, we've got news you'll love. Darwin Project, shown first on the keynote stage at E3 2017, combines 'The Hunger Games' inspired viewer engagement, Mixer Interactivity, and a battle-royale game mode -- and it's coming to open beta on Windows 10 PC from January 19 to 21 and launching on Xbox One in 2018 .

In Darwin Project you'll find yourself in a futuristic, battle royale style deathmatch with a strong emphasis on tracking, trapping and survival. Not only will you be pitted against rivals, but you'll need to win over viewers and gain their favor to help ensure a path to victory. Third-person combat provides the battle royale style competition you crave, with a few added twists. Namely, viewers can change both the rules of engagement and the very arena you're fighting in .

Here's how Darwin Project innovates within the genre:

• Show Director: The show Director mode is one of many features Scavengers Studio is implementing to reinvent the battle royale sub-genre. As the show director in Darwin Project, the Stream host can survey the entire arena aboard an invincible drone and examine the strategies all 10 contestants are using to hunt each other down. The director dashboard contains a suite of tools, unlocked through a progression system, with the potential to influence the outcome of the match. Like a sports commentator, the Show director helps the audience understand in-game action and flow, while also posing gameplay options or events in the form of Mixer Interactive voting, like Hunger Games, to enable the audience to directly control how the game will unfold. Their job is to queue and trigger various in-game events that Mixer viewers can vote on and influence. For example, the show director can choose or request the viewers to restrict zones, call in airstrikes, or even trigger a manhunt―which reveals a player's position for 90 seconds.

• Show Director Power: Manhunt: One of several 'Show Director Powers', Manhunt uses Mixer interactivity to first establish who the Manhunt target is, amongst players currently left alive. Once viewers vote and the target is set, match players receive a Manhunt notification and are incentivized to target and eliminate the Manhunt target for extra points. If a Darwin Project match gets quiet, Manhunt is sure to shake things up!

'Revealing Darwin Project at E3 reinforced for us just how passionate gamers are for new battle royale concepts. With Darwin Project we're introducing never-before-seen mechanics and features like the Manhunt, which we brought to life through Mixer Interactivity. Our studio was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experiment with Mixer interactivity and create new features around it. We believe we're on the threshold of a lot of new exciting possibilities and can't wait to share them with players.' said Simon Darveau, Scavenger Studios Co-Founder and Creative Director.

Join the open beta on Steam, from January 19-21. Whether you're craving arena action, want to try your hand as a show director, or are looking for an engaging Mixer interactive viewing experience -- Darwin Project is a must-play. And don't forget to tell us what you love most about Darwin Project via @WatchMixer on Twitter!

'Revealing Darwin Project at E3 reinforced for us just how passionate gamers are for new battle royale concepts. With Darwin Project we're introducing never-before-seen mechanics and features like the Manhunt, which we brought to life through Mixer Interactivity. Our studio was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experiment with Mixer interactivity and create new features around it. We believe we're on the threshold of a lot of new exciting possibilities and can't wait to share them with players.' said Simon Darveau, Scavenger Studios Co-Founder and Creative Director