YouTube will soon be attempting to take on Twitch and other similar livestreaming platforms by relaunching YouTube Live at this year’s E3.

According to sources within the streaming industry, YouTube Live will be focusing on both video game livestreams and eSports events. “There’ll be huge opportunities for established streamers and organizations soon and I would say that the record numbers of esports viewers are only going to grow when Google starts promoting and partnering with these events,” one source said. YouTube has already started to recruit a formidable team of around 50 engineers with expertise in the streaming industry, according to sources.

YouTube Live was first launched in April 2011, although it hasn’t exactly made the splash Google has wanted. As of this writing, YouTube Live is currently hosting the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam and will then host Super Darts 2015. YouTube Live has mainly been used for obscure events like these, so relaunching it with the focus on gaming would certainly revitalize the brand, and possibly be a real contender to dethrone Twitch.

YouTube was close to acquiring Twitch just last year, which makes its plan to move into Twitch's territory that much more intriguing. We guess they became quite fond of the idea of having its own service dedicated to games and eSports, that they decided to take the ball and run with it themselves. YouTube certainly has the infastructure and notoriety to make a big splash in the livestreaming world, but whether or not they can stay afloat in the already Twitch-filled waters is left to be seen.

Source: DailyDot