Facebook lets Messenger users play games together

Facebook has added games to its messenger service, Messenger. In conversation windows there will be a button to start a game, with which it is possible to play together or against a conversation partner.

On its blog, Facebook details the new functionality in Messenger. With the so-called Instant Games, Messenger users can play a variety of games together with interlocutors, including well-known titles such as Pac Man, Space Invaders and Words With Friends. The games will be rolled out immediately, but Facebook also states that new games will be introduced in due course. There are currently 17 titles available, and developers can sign up to make their games available through Instant Games.

According to Facebook, there is a social component to the games: people can play against each other and scores can be compared afterwards. There will also be leaderboards on which the scores will be noted; gamers can choose who they want to share their scores with. Those who want to start playing can tap the game controller icon in the conversation window, and then select a game.

The new functionality in Messenger will be rolled out immediately, but will initially only be available in thirty countries worldwide. Facebook has not spent any words on explaining exactly which countries are involved. However, it has been indicated that there is support for Android and iOS devices, from version 5 and 8 respectively. Facebook calls this a first step in its cross-platform game service, based on HTML5. However, it is not known which platforms will be supported in the future.