Facebook has just released a new update on its Messenger app which allows users to play games with their Facebook friends.
The new feature, aptly called Instant Games, makes live individual and team online gaming possible. The feature is compared to the likes of Counter Strike and World on Warcraft where players are able to manage their own teams and games no matter where they are in the world.
Instant Games is currently available in 30 countries including the US, with 17 games under its belt. As can be seen from the list, it even features game classics and industry leaders like Bandai Namco and Taito:
Galaga by Bandai Namco
Space Invaders by Taito
EverWing by Blackstorm
Endless Lake by Spilgames
Arkanoid by Taito
Words with Friends Frenzy by Zynga
Hex FRVR by FRVR
Pac-Man by Bandai Namco
Shuffle Cats Mini by King
Wordalot by MAG Interactive
ZooKeeper by Kiteretsu
Track & Field 100M by Konami
Brick Pop by Gamee
Bust-A-Move Blitz by Taito/ Blackstorm
2020 Connect by Softgames
Templar 2048 by Vonvon
The Tribez: Puzzle Rush by Game Insight
Since Instant Games is new, here are a few important tips to get anyone started:
- Update Facebook Messenger
Instant Games is a new feature and only available on the current version of Facebook Messenger. If playing from a mobile device, make sure to check on Android's Google Play or Apple's App Store if the update has already been made. If playing from the desktop version, there is no need to update as the new feature should appear automatically.
- Invite a friend or form a group
When wanting to invite a friend to join in a game, click on the name of the friend, or press the plus '+' icon. This will then lead to a new window where the game controller icon should be clicked, with the list of games to be chosen from.
Teams can also be formed by creating a group chat in Messenger, then starting the game from there. Instant Games is much like simply chatting with friends; but now, with an added feature of 'chatting' with them through playing games. Friends can also talk to each other via Facebook audio or video call while playing games. This is especially helpful when doing team plays.
Kimihiro Horiuchi, Head of Global Marketing at Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. and one of Facebook Instant Game's partner developer, says, "We believe this new cross platform gaming experience provides a new and unique discovery surface for our games and will delight and entertain our players around the world."
Anatoly Ropotov, CEO of Game Insight and also another partner developer, says, "Facebook, like Game Insight, has always placed tremendous importance on connecting with gamers wherever they are."
It is hoped that Instant Games will be available to more countries by 2017.
