Facebook launches FB.gg, its videogame streaming hub

MANILA, Philippines – Facebook on Thursday, June 7 launched FB.gg, a streaming hub for videogames, aiming to take a piece of the pie from streaming websites like Twitch.tv and Mixer.

The new, experimental initiative will let Facebook Live streamers with a gaming focus to be more easily discovered and watched online. FB.gg itself will feature recorded and live video with users able to find more videos “based on creators and the games they follow, Pages they like and Groups they belong to,” according to Facebook’s blog post introducing the new feature.

The company added it was planning to experiment and add new features to improve the experience further. These include “a feed where fans can explore relevant gaming content, improvements to recommendations, expanded gaming video inventory in more languages and integration of an Instant Games tab on the mobile version of our gaming destination so people can toggle between watching and playing games.”

Facebook also announced a Level Up Program for video makers. The program, which will become available in the coming months, will provide creators with information and tools to build their own communities and earn money. 

Facebook has been trying to get into streaming gaming video for a while now, beginning with its partnership with Blizzard back in 2016 to allow for the streaming of Battle.net-supported games on the social network. – Rappler.com