Facebook launched a free-to-play cloud gaming feature on its social media platform, allowing users to stream and play games like Asphalt 9: Legends and WWE SuperCard instantly with no download required.
Facebook said in a blog post: “we’re not spinning off a separate cloud gaming service,” adding that all cloud-streamed games can be played on the platform’s Gaming tab or News Feed.
The social media giant recently had 200,000 people playing their cloud-streamed games per week in limited regions.
While Facebook’s gaming feature is said to be smaller in scale than cloud gaming platforms like Stadia by Google, Amazon’s Luna, and Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the movement towards cloud gaming is clear.
At present, the cloud gaming platform will be available to Android and web users, Facebook said, while it was working on alternative options to launch the feature on Apple’s iOS.
Facebook said: “Unfortunately, we’re not launching cloud games on iOS. Even with Apple’s new cloud games policy, we don’t know if launching on the App Store is a viable path. Mobile browsers may wind up being an option, but there are limitations to what we can offer on Safari. Apple treats games differently and continues to exert control over a very precious resource.”
Despite the advancements in cloud gaming, strong and reliable digital infrastructure is of critical importance to ensure low latency and lag, which is absolutely necessary for gamers who need a seamless experience. This may come in the form of 5G or edge computing technology.
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