The gaming community is becoming more significant in today’s world with every passing day. It has become a prominent source of income for many big companies. Companies like Twitch and YouTube are very popular for streaming video games for the gaming community. It is also a great opportunity for independent game developers.
But, apart from Twitch and YouTube, Facebook also declared its new gaming application. The company will be launching the application today focusing mainly on the streaming community. Facebook is also thinking about the casual audience and hence will be also adding casual games in the application. It will include games like Words with Friends and similar types that can be played to kill time.
The timing of the launch
It seems like, with the advent of the modern age, the orthodox of not enhancing the idea of gaming is eventually disappearing. Moreover, big companies like Google (Stadia), Twitch, YouTube, and now Facebook are trying hard to promote the gaming culture. But, with the pandemic holding us prisoners in our homes, the hype of gaming has increased overnight. In this outbreak, around $160 billion business in gaming is making success rapidly.
After, Google made the Pro version of Stadia free for two months and Trivia is back on track, this is the perfect timing. So, Facebook also decided to roll out its new gaming application and help people coping in this quarantine phase. Moreover, the gaming community also strengthens social interaction while maintaining social distancing at the same time.
Investing in gaming is one of the top priorities
Facebook has around 2.5 billion active monthly users. And, out of these 700 million users shows an active interest in gaming content. So, Facebook was planning to launch a gaming app around June. But, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Facebook decided to prepone the launch in April.
Fidji Simo, the head of the Facebook app said that it is important to invest in the gaming community. Because it is not just a form of entertainment but also connects and brings people together. She has also declared that many new features will roll out eventually as they are currently focused on gaming. The app will be available only on Android devices for the time being. After the company receives permission from Apple, it will be available on iOS as well. The new app was tested in Southeast Asia and Latin America for the past eighteen months.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook has thrived since forever especially after acquiring Instagram and Whatsapp. And, with the launching of this new app, it will give tough competition to Amazon and Google as well. The company has been investing in the gaming sphere for a very long time now. It has collaborated with many creators and hosted many esports tournaments. Facebook Gaming is growing exponentially.
Facebook Gaming has witnessed an increase of 210% hours watched within a single year (2018-2019). StreamElements, a streaming software company has reported that the company’s streamers have increased by 6%. And, along with that the average number of viewers per hour has also increased by 78%. All these happened within a single year.
Twitch and YouTube are the main competitions in the market for Facebook Gaming. So, the company followed its strategies closely and partnered with Gonzalo “Zero” Barrios (Twitch streamer) and Corinna Kopf (YouTube personality).
New features
Facebook has also launched new tools that will help the users to stream videos. And, more users will be attracted to the platform if the tools are simpler to use. So, the company has added a “Go Live” button which will instantly help the users to go live. Facebook has also launched the Level Up Program to help some creators earn money through it.
This program is of immense advantage to those who are already streaming games on Facebook. They will get access to high-quality premium transcoding which includes 1080p and 60fps. Other features like unlocking Facebook Stars, limited access to beta products and features, and many more will be available. The user needs to create a “Gaming Video Creator” page and keep streaming videos for the next 14 days. These two are the prerequisites along with some other conditions and age bar.
Vivek Sharma, Facebook’s Vice President got gaming said that the craze for becoming a streamer increases every day. So, they are expecting the idea of live streaming to boom within a few days maximum.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more