Facebook Messenger just got a whole new set of games on the app. If you’re worried about the return of Farmville, don’t; playing ‘Pac-Man’ with your friends is now an option on Facebook Messenger. Basketball and football were already available as an option, but it looks like Facebook is adding a lot more games in order to cash in on the fun.
In an official announcement on the Facebook Newsroom, the company says, “Messenger is just got way more… competitive” The post reads, “So when you’re looking for a reason to connect with your best friend who lives on the other side of the world, you can kick off a round of Words with Friends: Frenzy; or try again to beat your roommate at PAC-MAN just once…”
Games available include classics such as “Space Invaders” and “Galaga,” as well as newer titles like
“Words With Friends.” It’s the latest effort by the world’s biggest social network to get people to spend even more time on its properties.
So how can you play these? Facebook Messenger app once updated will have a game controller icon just below the box where you type messages. Tap on the icon, and pick a game that you wish to play. After you finish a round, your friend or friends in that conversation will see your score and can challenge you back. Facebook says people can also discover games within the Messenger search field, or on Facebook News Feed where they can play solo as well.
Facebook Messenger has a over 1 billion monthly users, and the addition of new games will only increase engagement and time-spent on the app. The app will also recommend games based on whether your friends are playing some titles as well. Thankfully you don’t have to worry about gaming requests from strangers in the Messenger app, as you can only play these with your friends.
Facebook is calling this feature “Instant Games,” and it will go live in 30 countries, with 17 titles. For Facebook, ensuring that it continues to dominate the messaging scene is crucial given the rise of new apps like Snapchat, etc. Facebook has been copying Snapcht’s features like Stories, Disappearing message, filters, etc quite aggressively. But the ‘Instant Games’ bit is something that the social media giant managed to capitalise on, and will no doubt be a hit with users especially for ‘Pac-man’ fans.
In an official announcement on the Facebook Newsroom, the company says, “Messenger is just got way more… competitive” The post reads, “So when you’re looking for a reason to connect with your best friend who lives on the other side of the world, you can kick off a round of Words with Friends: Frenzy; or try again to beat your roommate at PAC-MAN just once…”
Games available include classics such as “Space Invaders” and “Galaga,” as well as newer titles like
“Words With Friends.” It’s the latest effort by the world’s biggest social network to get people to spend even more time on its properties.
So how can you play these? Facebook Messenger app once updated will have a game controller icon just below the box where you type messages. Tap on the icon, and pick a game that you wish to play. After you finish a round, your friend or friends in that conversation will see your score and can challenge you back. Facebook says people can also discover games within the Messenger search field, or on Facebook News Feed where they can play solo as well.
Facebook Messenger has a over 1 billion monthly users, and the addition of new games will only increase engagement and time-spent on the app. The app will also recommend games based on whether your friends are playing some titles as well. Thankfully you don’t have to worry about gaming requests from strangers in the Messenger app, as you can only play these with your friends.
Facebook is calling this feature “Instant Games,” and it will go live in 30 countries, with 17 titles. For Facebook, ensuring that it continues to dominate the messaging scene is crucial given the rise of new apps like Snapchat, etc. Facebook has been copying Snapcht’s features like Stories, Disappearing message, filters, etc quite aggressively. But the ‘Instant Games’ bit is something that the social media giant managed to capitalise on, and will no doubt be a hit with users especially for ‘Pac-man’ fans.
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