Facebook is reportedly launching a dedicated mobile game app.
Angela Lang / CNET
Facebook plans to do this Start a mobile gaming app The New York Times reported on Sunday that Twitch and YouTube should challenge the dominance of the live game streaming market. The free Facebook gaming app was developed for people who are already active in the online gaming community, but will also include casual games and access to gaming communities, the Times reported.
“Investing in games in general has become a priority for us because we see games as a form of entertainment that really connects people,” said Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, the newspaper. “It is entertainment that is not just a form of passive consumption, but entertainment that is interactive and brings people together.”
The app was originally scheduled to be released in June, but the social media giant has been pushing it forward for a few months as the coronavirus pandemic forces people to stay more at home.
Facebook’s push is a testament to the popularity of esports, where the best players around the world compete in a variety of games over the Internet. Esports was worth over $ 1 billion last year, and that number is growing rapidly.
More than 700 million Facebook users play games, watch game videos or post in game groups. Last year, the social media giant launched a gaming tab in the app’s navigation bar for people who spend time playing games, watching game videos, or interacting in game groups.
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.