Facebook Launches it's new Gaming app

Given the current situation, Facebook is looking to strengthen its popularity in the gaming industry during the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of a new, dedicated Gaming app, months before its planned June release. 

The social media giant pushed the app's release on Android two months prior to its scheduled unveiling with a pending iOS version at some point in the near future. The app's slogan is "Watch, Play, Connect", and it's what the whole app is all about. The app’s arrival comes after a year and a half of testing in various markets such as Southeast Asia, and Latin America. 

The app lets users watch live streams, chat, follow updates, play mobile games together and much more in order to compete against its biggest competitors Twitch and YouTube although it still lacks behind when it comes to hours of gameplay watched even though more than 2.5 billion people use Facebook every month.

New tools might help Facebook reach new heights since it is trying to make it easier for users to start streaming by adding a “Go Live” button to start the magic. Once people are live, streams will appear on their personal pages, making it easier for friends and followers to watch.

Vivek Sharma, Facebook’s vice president said “People are watching streams and they’re like, ‘I want to be a streamer,’ and with Go Live it’s literally just a few clicks and then live, you’re a streamer.”

Facebook also offers monetization to a limited number of streamers and it is also planning to monetize this by taking a commission of “stars” which are donations that viewers send to streamers.

It remains to be seen whether the app will be a successful one, but the rushed timing could give the service a cutting edge, as people are trying to find new forms of content to socialize during this global pandemic.