<p>Microsoft's online gaming platform Xbox Live suffered a major crash, causing users to be unable to connect. </p> <p>Many gamers had issues when trying to sign in to the service that allows them to play multiplayer online and to purchase and download games. </p> <p>The firm said it was working on a fix to the issue, however, it was not able to confirm the date it would return. </p> <p>Thousands of gamers have reported issues when trying to sign into the service that allows them to play multiplayer online and also to download and purchase games. </p> <p>'Our engineers and developers are actively working to solve the issue that has caused some members to experience difficulties connecting to Xbox Live,' it said. </p> <p>"Keep tuned and thank you for your patience." </p> <p>It comes just days after Microsoft launched an attack on YouTube and Amazon's Twitch by buying its own livestreaming service. </p> <p>This interactive map shows the path of... Elon Musk's AI set out to... Did Maya astronomers surpass Copernicus's? Ancient text suggests... The Atlantic and Pacific split later than believed </p> <p>The company announced the issue in a series tweets however, it said it was investigating the issue. </p> <p>The Xbox maker has announced plans to purchase Beam, a live streaming service founded in Seattle and created by Matt Salsamendi (18 years old). </p> <p>The teen who founded his firm in January, claims it has already reached 100,000 users. </p> <p>In contrast to other streaming services, it allows users to influence and interact with a video game streamed by a different player. </p> <p>Beam lets players suggest challenges to streamers and even modify in-game elements such as weapons loadouts or quest selections. https://nicisoft.com/ </p> <p>The Xbox maker today announced plans to purchase live-streaming service Beam which is a Seattle-based business founded by 18-year-old Matt Salsamendi </p> <p>It also allows developers to design special button layouts that allow viewers to interact with games being streamed by Beam. </p> <p>"We at Xbox are thrilled by this convergence between playing and watching and want players to have the freedom and choice of fantastic multiplayer experiences across all Beam's platforms." Chad Gibson, a program manager for partner groups at Microsoft's Xbox Live division, said in an announcement. </p> <p>'This acquisition will help gamers enjoy the games they want with the people they like, and on the devices they desire.' </p> <p>The terms of the deal were disclosed. </p> <p>He explained how the system may work with Minecraft. </p> <p>'Using 'Minecraft' as one example, with Beam you don't just sit and watch your favorite streamers play, you play along with them. </p> <p>"You can take on them and make in-real-time decisions that impact their gameplay, like the choice of tools and quests, movement and more. All this is possible by using simple visual controls." </p> <p>Salsamendi says Beam will continue to operate as he and his team integrate into the Xbox engineering team. </p> <p>Salsamendi in a blog entry posted on the Beam's website, claimed that the service has grown to approximately 100,000 users since it was launched in January of this year. </p> <p>He writes, "As part Xbox, we will be able to grow faster than ever before." </p> <p>We're expanding our team, bolstering our infrastructure, and the most important thing is to continue to expand and help the amazing community of Beam.' </p> <p>THE XBOX ONE </p> <p>The Xbox One S will be available in a colour called "robotwhite". </p> <p>It will come with an internal power supply, which is different from the previous generations of Xbox that have had external power packs. </p> <p>However however, the Xbox One S will also be 40 per cent smaller than the previous version. </p> <p>Microsoft confirmed that the console will support 4K Ultra HD video and will be equipped with up to 2TB of internal hard disk storage. </p> <p>The new model will also include High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wireless controller with extended range. </p> <p>Owners will be able customise their controller with Microsoft's Xbox design lab. </p>