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Facebook launch a mobile app for their gaming-only livestream platform todayFacebook’s back, back again
Facebook’s back, back again
If you didn’t know thatFacebookhave their own game streaming network, don’t worry. Neither did I. Facebook Gaming is the blue giant’s gaming-only spin on Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer. It’s existed on browsers for a while, but is now available as a standalone mobile app that launched on the Google Play Store today. An iPhone version is still “in the works.”
“The Facebook Gaming app is a focused, gaming-only experience where you can watch your favorite streamers, play instant games, and take part in gaming groups,” Facebook say in anannouncementtoday. They’d planned to roll out a mobile app for the service this summer but accelerated plans in order to sweep up everyone stuck at home during the Covid-19coronaviruspandemic.
“Investing in gaming in general has become a priority for us because we see gaming as a form of entertainment that really connects people,” head of the Facebook app Fidji Simo told theNew York Times. “We’re seeing a big rise in gaming during quarantine,” she says. The Times reports that Facebook are also fast-tracking some other gaming projects including a tournament feature.
StoneMountain64on Facebook Gaming
For now, Facebook say there will be no advertising in the app. They will make money on tips sent to streamers with their currency called “stars.” Sounds like the equivalent of “bits” for Twitch viewers and “embers” on Mixer.
Facebook seem to be pushing for mobile users watching mobile games, but theFacebook Gaming pageis currently featuring a streamer called “StoneMountain64” playingCall Of Duty: Warzone, so there’s still a thing or so for us PC-playing folk.
If you’d like to take your rusty Facebook debate skills into game viewership, you can find the app on theGoogle Play Store. The iPhone version is “in the works.”
