Meta To Shut Down Facebook Gaming App On October 28

Meta did not elaborate on why it is shuttering Facebook Gaming.

Facebook said that it will continue to support gaming communities, developers, and creators on the main app.

Source : AFP

New Delhi: Meta, the owner of leading social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is winding up its standalone Facebook Gaming app from both Android and iOS from October 28. The app will not be available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Meta did not elaborate on why it is shuttering the standalone gaming app.

"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," reads a banner on its website.

"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," the notice added.

The app was launched in April 2020 to let users watch their favourite streamers, play instant games and take part in gaming groups.

"Facebook experienced some hurdles trying to launch the app, as Apple rejected the app numerous times, citing its rules that prohibit apps with the main purpose of distributing casual games, reports TechCrunch.

Apple's rules had forced Facebook to remove gameplay functionality from the app.

The company said that it will continue to support gaming communities, developers, and creators on the main Facebook app.

Facebook Gaming had rolled out a new 'Clips to Reels' feature for all creators to convert live gameplay clips into Reels. Using the feature, creators can produce 60-second Reels from existing Facebook Gaming content. Creators can easily cut clips of their favourite gameplay moments down to a vertical-friendly, 60-second format, with dual views for both gameplay and creator cam.

The new Clips to Reels feature will allow creators to format and share highlights from Clips and VODs from within their Creator Studio Clips Library with a streamlined process.

As part of its Q1 2022 earnings, Meta said that Reels now make up more than 20 percent of the time that people spend on Instagram.

(With inputs from IANS)