Image via Meta
Facebook is throwing in the towel on its Facebook Gaming app. The app allowed for users to watch and play video games on-demand.
On October 28, Facebook Gaming will no longer be available on iOS and Android, but Facebook’s gaming features will still be accessible through the main Facebook app.
In an update, the company stated that “we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you for everything that you’ve done to build a thriving community for gamers and fans since this app first launched
“This was truly a community-led effort to bring new gaming features to Facebook. Despite this news, our mission to connect players, fans and creators with the games they love hasn’t changed, and you’ll still be able to find your games, streamers and groups when you visit Gaming in the Facebook app.”
Facebook Gaming was once viewed as a potential Twitch competitor and it grew a strong foothold during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, the video game industry saw a major increase in viewership and purchases.
Facebook has been struggling to gain a strong foothold in the gaming world, and is still not able to compete in terms of livestreaming with Twitch and YouTube.
It’s not the first time a company has failed at reproducing Twitch’s formula. Back in 2020, Microsoft closed its streaming service called Mixer even though they had signed a multimillion dollar deal with Fortnite streamer Ninja for his streams to be exclusive to Mixer.
YouTube has thus far been the only true competitor to Twitch in terms of livestreaming gaming content. YouTube Gaming has managed to get many Twitch streamers onto the YouTube platform, including Ludwig, Valkyrae, and TimTheTatman.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
