The social network enters the world of cloud gaming and launches a new app for free online gaming: how Facebook Gaming works
Facebook enters the world of cloud gaming and launches a new app for free online gaming. There's no need to download games or buy consoles and controllers: with Facebook Gaming all you need is a smartphone or a mouse to play video games, or follow the advice of your favorite streamers.
More than 380 million users play video games every day on Mark Zuckerberg's social network, but now Facebook is relaunching by introducing free-to-play titles on the cloud. The beta version is available in the U.S., but Facebook stressed that it won't be a separate cloud gaming service, like Google's Stadia or Sony's PlayStation Now. The app is available for both Android devices and those who play from the desktop PC version, but not for iOS devices, which are paying for the recent tug-of-war between Facebook and Apple over managing the social's monetary transitions without going through the App Store.
Facebook Gaming, how it works
The new Facebook Gaming service adds to the social's existing HTML 5 gaming platform that hundreds of millions of users access every day. Once you've downloaded the app, you can configure it by choosing from a range of supported languages, setting up your favorite games and streamers to get a feed tailored to your tastes.
Users will be able to create a custom nickname and avatar, so you don't have to use your full name and main Facebook profile information. Reactions and comments will be visible on the social network, but you will be able to decide whether or not to share your scores and play alone or challenge friends and family.
The new Beta version released in the United States also allows you to play in free-to-play mode on the cloud with a selection of titles in addition to those in HTML 5. In addition, all developers integrating Facebook Login for Gaming will be able to enable cross-play between the downloaded version of their game and the cloud version on Facebook.
Facebook Gaming, the available titles
The free-to-play mode on cloud of Facebook Gaming at the moment is only available for the beta version of the app released in the United States and can be played from Android devices and desktop version for PC.
Available titles are still limited and starting this week, users will be able to try Asphalt 9: Legends, Mobile Legends: Adventure, PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, Solitaire: Arthur's Tale and VWE SuperCard. In the coming weeks, Facebook has announced that the library will be expanded with more titles, including Dirt Bike Unchained.
At least for the time being, the app won't be coming to Apple devices. Behind this delay is the challenge between Facebook and Apple, along the lines of what already happened with Epic Games for Fortnite. The social network triggered the Cupertino company's reaction after enabling monetary transitions directly in its app, without going through the App Store to avoid the 30% tax.