Facebook release Gaming app for Android early amid COVID-19 pandemic

Facebook is chasing Amazon and Microsoft into the video game streaming market with the launch of a new app to grow its Facebook Gaming division. 

The newly launched app is the latest avenue that allows you to watch other people play video games.

The streaming market has become increasingly popular in recent years with big name streamers pulling in huge money.

One of the most notable paydays was for Fortnite streamer Ninja, who netted an undisclosed amount of millions to stream exclusively on Microsoft’s Mixer streaming platform.

Ninja initially became popular on Twitch, the streaming platform Amazon paid $US970 million for in August 2014.

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Google also has its own parts of YouTube dedicated to gaming content and live streaming.

Some streamers later upload their content to YouTube as well, where they can effectively double-dip on their content and get paid twice for the same content.

Facebook Gaming has been around for a while and the social media site claims 700 million of us engage with content from the platform already.

The new app makes it more accessible and is intended to be slightly more casual, making it easier to start streaming within a few taps of your phone screen rather than requiring external hardware or complicated software as can be the case on Twitch.

It was reportedly due to be launched in June but has been brought up as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The app has already been tested in South East Asian and Latin American markets over the past year and a half, according to the New York Times, but it’s now available globally for Android users.

An iOS app is expected to become available once approved by Apple.

The app lets you play games cloud-based games yourself as well as watch others play. Facebook’s focus on “community building” means there are also groups to join to interact with other gamers and viewers.

The streaming market has become even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic with many turning to it as an income stream in a time where people are forced to stay inside.

Twitch streamers can make money through “tips” from viewers, as well as the platforms affiliate and partner revenue sharing programs.

It’s not just gamers raking in cash as well.

Yoga instructors and personal trainers are streaming classes via Twitch and other platforms.

Musicians like producer Kenny Beats are making money streaming themselves working in the studio to audiences keen to observe their creative process or learn how to master the art themselves.

Others have also held live streamed concerts in a bid to connect with fans and make up for their lost touring revenue.