Facebook Gaming is the latest contender in the game streaming market

Facebook Gaming has just launched its cloud-streaming service, and unlike Stadia, Facebook doesn’t plan to “overpromise and under-deliver”. Instead of rushing the streaming market, Facebook plans to adopt a slow and steady approach to cloud gaming, focusing on accessibility, instead of “data centers, compression algorithms, resolutions, or frames per second.”

Right now, over 380 million people play games on Facebook each month, and Facebook plans to start its could gaming service by making higher quality games more accessible to these users. Unlike its competitors, Facebook is starting its streaming service by focusing on casual gamers, rather than the enthusiast market. 

Facebook Gaming’s cloud streaming service will not require specialised hardware or gamepads. All users will need is their mobile devices, or a keyboard/mouse when playing through a PC. For now, Facebook will focus on free-to-play mobile games and plans to expand to more types of game as their service improves, and their userbase expands.  

With the launch of Facebook’s could streaming beta, Facebook’s offering access to games like Asphalt 9: Legends by Gameloft; Mobile Legends: Adventure by Moonton; PGA TOUR Golf Shootout by Concrete Software, Inc.; Solitaire: Arthur’s Tale by Qublix Games; and WWE SuperCard by 2K. This list will grow in the future, expanding to cover more experiences, genres, and playstyles. 

For now, Facebook’s cloud streaming service supports PC and Android. At this time, the service lacks iOS support. 

Wait, no iOS support? 

“While our iOS path is uncertain, one thing is clear. Apple treats games differently and continues to exert control over a very precious resource.” That’s Facebook’s official stance on iOS support. While the company is working on “alternative options for iOS”, Facebook is currently unable to work around Apple’s chokehold on the iOS gaming market. 

For now, Facebook is supporting Android and web players. iOS support may arrive at a later date,