Facebook Gaming: Play Games with Your Favorite Streamers

Facebook Gaming's Expanding Interactive Features

While not currently as prominent a streaming platform as Twitch or YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming is consistently implementing new interactive elements to enhance its attractiveness to users.

Introducing "Play with Streamer"

Facebook is currently testing a novel interactive capability termed “play with streamer.” This allows viewers to directly participate in game streams alongside their preferred streamers.

The company is showcasing this feature with the debut of Pac-Man Community. This iteration of the classic game incorporates contemporary elements, including multiplayer functionality, user-created mazes, and interactive viewer experiences. The aim is to replicate the collaborative spirit seen in events like Twitch Plays Pokémon.

Limited Game Selection

Currently, the number of games supporting this feature is limited. Viewers can join multiplayer sessions directly from the stream in the new Pac-Man game and Worlds FRVR, a game resembling Minecraft that integrated this functionality in August.

Streamer Control and Community Building

Streamers maintain control over access to this feature. They can grant participation as a reward to their most loyal followers, providing a valuable tool for fostering and strengthening gaming communities.

Revenue Sharing and Creator Incentives

To attract emerging streamers, Facebook Gaming presently provides creators with 100% of the generated revenue. However, it’s important to note that this advantageous arrangement is scheduled to expire in 2022.

Co-Streaming Capabilities

In October, Facebook introduced a co-streaming feature. This enables creators to collaborate and broadcast simultaneously. Twitch previously implemented a similar feature, known as “Squad Stream,” back in 2019, and it is essential for cultivating a dynamic streaming environment.

Focus on Casual and Mobile Gaming

Historically, Facebook has offered a range of casual games, differing from the popular titles on Twitch. While Facebook Gaming also features streams of games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, its emphasis on HTML5 mobile games could provide a distinct advantage, attracting a broader audience beyond dedicated gamers.

As streaming gains wider acceptance, this approach could draw in new viewers who might not typically visit Twitch.

Streaming Hour Statistics

Twitch continues to dominate the streaming landscape in terms of viewership hours. By the close of 2020, it accounted for 66% of all hours watched. YouTube Gaming followed with 23%, and Facebook Gaming held 11%.

However, both Facebook and YouTube are experiencing growth. In 2020, Facebook Gaming saw a threefold increase in streaming hours watched compared to the previous year, while YouTube’s numbers doubled.