Facebook Acquires Crayta Studio – Roblox Competitor
Facebook Acquires Crayta, a Game Creation Platform
Recent activity from Facebook indicates a series of acquisitions of virtual reality studios. However, today’s announcement details the purchase of a platform with broader implications – a game creation system similar to Roblox.
Unit 2 Games and the Crayta Platform
Facebook has confirmed the acquisition of Unit 2 Games, the developers behind Crayta. This platform provides users with a streamlined interface for game creation, built upon the Unreal Engine. It also incorporates features for game discovery and community interaction.
Crayta distinguishes itself through its focus on monetization strategies, such as seasonal Battle Passes. This approach lends the platform a feel reminiscent of popular games like Fortnite.
Crayta’s History and Availability
Unit 2 Games has been operating for a little over three years, with Crayta’s initial launch occurring last July. Initially, the platform’s reach was restricted by an exclusive launch agreement with Google’s Stadia cloud-streaming service.
However, Crayta became available on the Epic Games Store in March, expanding its accessibility. The game’s design is well-suited for the characteristics of cloud-gaming platforms.
Facebook’s Plans for Crayta
A key feature of Crayta is the ability for users to easily share game access with others through simple linking. Facebook intends to leverage Crayta to advance its own gaming initiatives.
According to Vivek Sharma, VP of Facebook Gaming, “Crayta has effectively utilized cloud-streaming technology to simplify game creation and enhance accessibility.” He further stated that Facebook plans to integrate Crayta’s tools into its own cloud platform.
This integration aims to facilitate the rapid delivery of new gaming experiences directly on Facebook.
Acquisition Details
The entire Unit 2 Games team will be joining Facebook as a result of this acquisition. Unfortunately, the specific financial details of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.
Key Takeaway: This acquisition signals Facebook’s commitment to expanding its presence in the gaming space, particularly in user-generated content and cloud gaming.
