After 2 years of its launch, Meta announced yesterday that they are shutting down the standalone Facebook Gaming App. An in-app notification was sent to users notifying them that the app will soon no longer be available from 28th October 2022, providing users with enough time to download their search data as the app prepares to shut down. Social media trend spotter Matt Navarra shared the notification banner via Twitter.
Facebook is killing its Facebook Gaming app on 28 October 2022 pic.twitter.com/AeQjnSBkWV
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) August 30, 2022
Without even making a dent in the gaming world, what was the purpose of the Facebook Gaming App in the first place?
Meta, which currently has the biggest market control over the most used social media applications, released the dedicated Facebook Gaming App in 2020 to be able to tap into the growing online community of the gaming world with the hopes to compete against Twitch. Meta (still known as Facebook at the time) designed the app as a way for users to watch their favorite streamers, play instant games and provide users with gaming group chats and community features to connect.
Meta did not clarify why it decided to discontinue the standalone app, but circulating rumors suggest that it might be efforts from the mother company to better control expenditures as Mark Zuckerberg calls “one of the worst downturns (the company has seen) in recent history.” Over the past year, stream providers such as StreamElements reported that Facebook Gaming comes only second to Twitch when it comes to the number of hours watched on a game streaming platform.
In addition, the app has been rejected multiple times by Apple as The Facebook gaming app went against Apple’s terms and conditions which prohibit apps that distribute casual games. Unfortunately, Apple’s rules forced Meta to wipe actual gameplay functionality from the app. A crucial feature that according to initial beta phase experiments made the app so attractive to users in the first place.
However, data from CrowdTangle suggest otherwise, as Meta’s analytical service indicates that the app was flooded with corrupt pirated content masquerading as gaming live streams. At the time, a spokesperson for Meta confirmed that it was working to make improvements to be able to identify violating content.
“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,” the notice reads. “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.”
Meta informing users of The Facebook Gaming App via the app’s notification banner
Even though the standalone Facebook Gaming App is shutting down, Meta is reminding users that it won’t go away in its entirety but would merely merge the app in a section called the Gaming tab part of the main Facebook app.
Stay updated on the latest gaming news by subscribing to the ITP Live newsletter below: