Facebook Gaming is a relatively new platform for live streaming and on-demand gaming content that is owned and operated by Facebook. Since launching in 2018, Facebook Gaming has grown rapidly, attracting millions of viewers and thousands of streamers. But is this new gaming platform a legitimate and worthwhile place to watch and stream games?
What is Facebook Gaming?
Facebook Gaming is both a website and mobile app that allows users to watch and stream live gameplay, similar to established platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. It offers features like:
- Live streaming gameplay from PC, console, and mobile
- On-demand gameplay videos and live streams
- Gaming groups and communities
- Gaming video broadcasts
- Gaming tournaments and events
The platform was launched as a tab within the main Facebook app and website in 2018. In 2020, Facebook Gaming graduated to a standalone mobile app (though it still exists as a tab within Facebook too).
Facebook Gaming aims to capitalize on Facebook’s massive user base of over 2 billion people. The goal is to turn Facebook users into more engaged gaming viewers and creators. While other platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming got an earlier head start in live streaming, Facebook is leveraging its reach and resources to catch up.
Is Facebook Gaming popular?
In a relatively short period, Facebook Gaming has grown rapidly in viewership and streamer numbers:
- Over 700 million people engage with gaming content on Facebook monthly, including Facebook Gaming and gamer creators on Facebook.
- 240 million people watch gaming streams on Facebook each month.
- Over 25,000 active streamers go live on the platform each month.
- The Facebook Gaming mobile app has been installed over 100 million times on iOS and Android.
While this pales in comparison to Twitch’s 17.5+ million daily active viewers, the growth is impressive given the platform’s relatively recent launch. The vitality of the Facebook Gaming community was on full display when popular streamer Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios switched from Twitch to an exclusive Facebook Gaming deal in December 2020.
Facebook Gaming has been gaining strong traction particularly among mobile users. Over 95% of viewing time on Facebook Gaming comes from mobile. The ease of live streaming mobile games combined with Facebook’s reach on mobile devices has driven much of the platform’s initial surge.
How does Facebook Gaming work?
Watching gaming streams
Watching live and on-demand gaming content on Facebook Gaming works similarly to Twitch or YouTube Gaming. Users can:
- Browse top live streams currently being broadcast
- Search for streams by game or streamer name
- Follow favorite streamers to catch when they go live
- Watch gaming videos on demand
- Interact with streams by commenting and reacting live
- Browse gaming groups and events
Facebook Gaming features top streamers and a Trending section to help viewers discover new popular streams and games. Viewers can follow streamers and share live streams with friends in their network on Facebook. Streams can also be shared to Facebook Stories or within Facebook Groups related to specific games.
Streaming games
Those wanting to live stream gameplay on Facebook Gaming can:
- Stream directly from the Facebook Gaming mobile app on Android or iOS
- Use software like OBS Studio to live stream from a PC or console
- Go live instantly from Facebook Gaming webpages or Groups
- Cross-stream to Facebook Gaming from other platforms
Streamers build a following by having an interesting and entertaining gaming broadcast. Facebook friends and shares can help expose streams to a wider audience. Streamers can build out a full profile on Facebook Gaming with info about themselves, a live stream schedule, and more.
Facebook Gaming has tools to help streamers succeed, including:
- Streamer Level Up program – rewards and prizes for reaching viewership milestones
- Stars – virtual gifts viewers can send streamers to show support
- Subscriptions – recurring monthly payments from fans to streamers starting at $4.99/month
- Creator monetization – streamers can generate ad revenue from their streams once they reach certain thresholds
What games are popular on Facebook Gaming?
The types of games streamed and viewed on Facebook Gaming include:
- Mobile games – PUBG Mobile, Garena Free Fire, Mobile Legends, Call of Duty Mobile
- Battle royales – Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends
- MMOs – World of Warcraft, Black Desert Online
- MOBAs – League of Legends, Dota 2, Vainglory
- Shooters – Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Sports games – FIFA, Madden NFL, NBA 2K
- Fighting games – Super Smash Bros, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat
In Q3 2020, the top streamed games on Facebook Gaming were Free Fire, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Grand Theft Auto V, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Mobile titles dominate, reflecting the platform’s audience strength on iOS and Android.
Facebook Gaming is carving out a niche with mobile gaming streamers and viewers. But it also sees traction with cross-platform titles like GTA V and agile competitive games like battle royales, MOBAs, and shooters.
What are the pros of Facebook Gaming?
There are several advantages to using Facebook Gaming over other gaming platforms:
- Massive built-in audience – Can tap into 2.9 billion monthly Facebook users
- Strong on mobile – Easier for mobile gamers to watch and stream
- Discovery tools – Browse trending and recommended games and streamers
- Uses existing Facebook network – Friends can easily watch and share streams
- Streamer support – Level Up program and monetization options for streamers
- Casual focus – Caters to novice streamers and mobile players
- Interactive streams – Integrated Facebook comments and reactions
For viewers, Facebook Gaming makes it incredibly easy to find and watch gaming streams natively within the Facebook app. Streamers can tap into an engaged audience and platform tools to build out their channel.
The sheer size of Facebook’s user base gives it unmatched potential to put gaming content in front of people. And its strength on mobile devices means Facebook Gaming can court viewers and streamers focused on mobile titles.
What are the cons of Facebook Gaming?
Of course, there are also some current downsides and criticisms of the Facebook Gaming platform:
- Smaller core audience than Twitch/YouTube – Still lagging behind big established platforms in viewership
- Focus on casual gaming – Less traction among hardcore PC gamers so far
- Content discovery limitations – Harder to find smaller streamers based on game
- Technical growing pains – Issues with lag and video quality
- Fewer monetization opportunities – Less options for subscriptions and donations than competitors
- Confusing platform split – Separate website, mobile app, and Facebook tab versions
While the size of Facebook’s overall user base is staggering, right now only a fraction tune into Facebook Gaming regularly. Attracting hardcore PC gamers and elite competitive esports players could be challenging.
There are also some growing pains around the technology. Streams may suffer from lag and pixelation, while discovering new niche streamers (rather than only big names) can be difficult. So the platform still has work to do on the viewer experience.
How does Facebook Gaming compare to Twitch and YouTube Gaming?
Facebook Gaming competes directly with established players Twitch and YouTube Gaming. Here is how the platforms stack up on some key metrics:
| Facebook Gaming | Twitch | YouTube Gaming | |
| Monthly active viewers | 238 million | 140 million | N/A |
| Peak concurrent viewers | 800,000 | 17.5 million | Over 200,000 |
| Monthly active streamers | 25,000 | 7.5 million | N/A |
| Launch date | 2018 | 2011 | 2015 |
In terms of sheer viewer numbers, Facebook Gaming has quickly made progress against the more established Twitch and YouTube Gaming. However, Twitch still dominates peak concurrent viewership thanks to its loyal PC gaming fanbase and top esports broadcasts.
All three platforms offer opportunities for streamers to build an audience and monetize through subscriptions, donations, and video ads once qualifying streaming hours thresholds are met. Twitch streamers earn the most on average, but Facebook Gaming aims to compete by offering streamers a cut of in-stream Stars purchases and monthly subscription payouts starting at $3 per subscriber.
Is it easy to get started streaming on Facebook Gaming?
Getting started streaming your gameplay on Facebook Gaming is relatively straightforward:
- Download the Facebook Gaming app on your mobile device or access Facebook Gaming on the web.
- Go to the Create menu and select Go Live or Create Post.
- Give your stream a title and description then start broadcasting.
- Interact with viewers that join your stream.
- Share your stream on your Facebook profile, in relevant Facebook Groups, etc.
To customize your stream, you can overlay graphics, set up notifications and alerts, improve video quality, and use production tools like Streamlabs OBS. But at its core, anyone can start streaming instantly direct from their phone or computer.
Building a consistent viewership takes time and dedication like any platform. But Facebook Gaming makes it easy to take that first step and stream to an inherently large potential audience.
What games are best to stream on Facebook Gaming?
Certain games tend to attract more viewership on Facebook Gaming. The best games to stream include:
- PUBG Mobile – The most streamed game with a huge player base and audience.
- Mobile Legends – Popular mobile MOBA with an active streaming scene.
- Call of Duty Mobile – Leading first-person shooter franchise ported to mobile.
- Garena Free Fire – Battle royale king on mobile.
- Grand Theft Auto V – Perennial favorite provides endless gameplay variety for streams.
Streamers should focus on games they enjoy and are entertaining to watch for long periods. But it helps to start out streaming titles known to attract viewers on Facebook Gaming, which tend to be leading competitive mobile games.
Once you build an audience, you can branch out more into PC games and variety stream formats. Big ongoing games like GTA V are a safer bet compared to single-player narrative titles.
Is Facebook Gaming right for you?
Facebook Gaming can be a good fit for streamers and viewers that:
- Enjoy popular mobile games like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG Mobile
- Prefer a more casual streaming community
- Want an easy way to start streaming instantly
- Like interacting with streamers using Facebook features
- Appreciate Facebook’s friend recommendation algorithms
- Use Facebook frequently already
Hardcore PC gamers interested solely in elite esports may be better served on a platform like Twitch initially. But Facebook Gaming can complement other streaming sites by providing a new audience reachable through Facebook.
Is Facebook Gaming safe for kids?
Facebook requires users to be 13 years or older. However, parental supervision is still advised when young teens are using the platform.
Potential risks include:
- Age-inappropriate games being streamed
- Abusive or sexually explicit comments in stream chat
- Bullying based on gaming skill or identity
- Scams and fake offers in comments
- Overuse, distraction, and unhealthy streaming habits
Parents can take measures like:
- Reviewing games and streamers before approving them
- Disabling chat features
- Setting time limits on streaming and viewing
- Moderating and co-viewing streams
- Educating kids on potential online safety risks
With proper precautions, Facebook Gaming can be enjoyed safely. But complete supervision is difficult, so risks need to be managed.
Conclusion
Facebook Gaming has rapidly emerged as a third legitimate option alongside Twitch and YouTube Gaming for streaming and watching games. While it caters to a more casual audience skewed toward mobile so far, the platform’s scope provides huge room for growth.
For streamers, Facebook Gaming makes it incredibly easy to start broadcasting gameplay to an inherently large potential audience primed to consume video. Viewers benefit from gaming content being integrated directly into a platform many already use daily. And for both, the interactive Facebook community enhances the live streaming experience.
Like any social platform, Facebook Gaming has room for improvement around issues like content moderation. And it remains secondary to Twitch for hardcore PC gamers focused on elite esports. But its strengths on mobile and social integration make the platform worth watching in the gaming live streaming space.