Just when you thought you were safe from ceaseless notifications from Farmville players, Facebook has let it be known that it is planning to add gaming apps to its secondary Messenger app. You know, the one you had to install on your iPhone because they took messaging functions out of the main Facebook mobile app.
Facebook is actively talking with game developers about using the Messenger platform to deliver gaming experiences, which would then lead to more interactions with the Messenger app, and probably revenues, as most of Facebook’s non advertising revenue comes from third-party games.
Messenger product executive Illya Sukhar confirmed with The Information that the discussions are taking place, but gave no other details on who might be participating in the chats, nor any timeline on when we might start seeing games within Messenger. We’ve seen one game on Messenger so far, a drawing game called Doodle Draw.
Facebook already has some lightweight interaction apps focused on sending emojis or stickers for the Messenger platform, but this is the first time they’ve discussed moving out into stronger experiences, like games. How they will play out in the mobile app is anyone’s guess, though.
Facebook has reported a drop in payments by about 5 percent, something that this recent move could help improve. If the Zuck’s company can reach users while they’re mobile, it could counteract some of the recent decline.
With almost half of Facebook using the mobile Messenger app, this could be a boon to Facebook coffers and shareholders alike.
Source: The Information
Via: Macworld
