There is nothing quite like the feeling of beating your friends at an addictive game and, if recent news is anything to by, social media giant Facebook is well aware of that fact. The organization’s Instant Games feature, which allows the site’s users to quickly drop into a huge number of games and compete with their friends, has proven to be a major hit.
It is thought that 1.7 billion gaming sessions took place on the service between September and October this year, with that figure being revealed as part of the news that the platform was being expanded. Initially available on Messenger and the News Feed, it can now also be accessed via Facebook Groups and the Facebook Lite app.
All under one roof
While the announcement is interesting for a number of reasons, one factor is because Instant Games is a great example of the growing trend of gamers being offered the chance to play a number of titles all under one roof.
This concept of accessing a number of games through a single domain has been developing for a number of years but is probably most associated with areas like online gambling. Sites like Buzz Bingo, for example, offer a range of different games and experiences, with members only having to register for the site in order to access a diverse selection of content.
However, the concept has now crept into the world of console gaming too, with platforms like PlayStation Now arguably leading the way. The service allows gamers to stream a library of games to PlayStation 4 or PC for a monthly cost, while an option to download the titles was also recently introduced.
New developments
Following in the footsteps of PlayStation Now, both Microsoft and Google have also recently announced plans to investigate game streaming – a move which could also see those companies launch platforms that offer a range of games under one roof.
Microsoft’s plans revolve around Project xCloud, which is aimed at creating high-quality gaming experiences for a range of devices including smartphones. The objective is to create a service for those who either do not have a console or simply want to play on the move.
In contrast, Google’s Project Stream is based around allowing people to stream games through its Chrome browser, with recent tests being undertaken with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Exciting times ahead
The idea of streaming games may still seem outlandish to some, but the same was probably said about streaming film and TV once upon a time. In addition, with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime offering subscribers the chance to access a range of content in one place, is this also ultimately the way that gaming is going?
It is a fascinating time and the rise of Instant Games arguably shows that people are comfortable with accessing games under a single domain. Will the same concept become a hit in the world of consoles and PC? We’ll have to wait and see.
