YouTube's long-awaited game streaming platform YouTube Gaming launches this week, as part of Google's attempt to take on Twitch.

The service will centre around a hub that curates live and prerecorded gaming content tailored to users' viewing preferences.

Streaming is central to YouTube Gaming, as Google's video site has lost a great deal of viewership to Twitch thanks to poor streaming support.

It will also get its own dedicated mobile app.

The launch reflects the rise in popularity of Let's Plays and other YouTube gaming content, including the monolithically popular PewDiePie.

YouTube previously announced its intention to directly challenge Twitch's market dominance after a failed attempt to acquire the company for US$1b.

Recently, reports leaked of the PlayStation 4 gaining YouTube streaming support in an upcoming firmware update.

YouTube Gaming rolls out this week online and on mobile.