New Facebook Gaming App Launches to Compete with Twitch
Facebook Gaming has released a standalone app on Google Play in an effort to keep up with Twitch, the industry leader in livestreaming platforms. The focus of the new app is to provide users with a place to watch their favorite Facebook Gaming streamers, play instant games, and participate in gaming groups.
Unique Features of the Facebook Gaming App
Similar to Twitch’s mobile app, users can view the streams they follow and join trending streams from the directory. However, Facebook is aiming to stand out by allowing users to play games directly within the app. In addition to watching streams and participating in chats, users can enjoy small games like Everwing or a basketball shooting game with their friends.
Facebook Gaming VP Excited about the App’s Launch
Vivek Sharma, the Vice President of Facebook Gaming, expressed his excitement about the release of the standalone app on Google Play. He claims that the app is just the beginning of Facebook’s resurgence in the gaming industry and their commitment to building a home for various gaming communities.
Livestream Mobile Games Without Additional Equipment
The Facebook Gaming app also allows users to livestream games from their phones directly to Facebook. This feature is especially useful for those who want to stream mobile games without the need for a capture card or webcam.
Facebook’s efforts to compete with Twitch have shown promising results, with a 20% increase in hours watched during Q1 of 2020. The platform also captured 11% of the market share for the industry, as reported by Streamlabs’ quarterly report.