Facebook Messenger Instant Games: Facebook Adds New Features For Mobile Titles

At F8 2017, Facebook teased a handful of major new updates to gaming on its Facebook Messenger chat app and soon, they’ll be coming to Facebook users. The social media network announced Tuesday it will expand its rollout for Facebook Messenger Instant Games and launch a suite of additional features for game developers.

As part of the platform update, games can now support expanded features like in-game leaderboards, turn-based strategy gameplay and tournaments. The updated Messenger will launch in a gradual worldwide rollout over the next few weeks for Apple iOS and Google Android users.

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“These [updates] include rich gameplay features, which allow developers to create unique and sophisticated experiences and Game bots to help game makers surface exciting features like new levels and rewards,” Facebook said.

“When developers start to take advantage of these new capabilities everyone wins with more dynamic and engaging gaming experiences. Rich gameplay features such as turn-based games (our most requested feature) can also weave in leaderboards and tournaments, and offer more visually engaging and customizable game messages during play.”

Along with the in-game features, Facebook is also adding support for game bots to its Messenger Instant games. Facebook has previously dabbled with smart bots and in-game chat bots look to have similar functionality. Users will be able to get smarter and more responsive notifications about updates like in-game rewards and leaderboard movement.

As of this writing, Facebook couldn’t confirm a full list of games that would be receiving support for the updated Messenger gameplay features. However, Facebook highlighted the full version of the Scrabble-like Words With Friends and said that the scrolling shooter EverWing would be receiving support for chat bots. Facebook also said a Facebook Messenger version of the mobile pool game 8 Ball Pool would be coming to Messenger soon.

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Casual gaming has been a central part of Facebook’s browser experience for a while via titles like Words With Friends , but Facebook’s Messenger Instant Games, which launched last fall, are designed to bring that same reach to mobile users. None of the games require a separate app download and can all be launched directly from Facebook’s mobile chat app.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Messenger app, here’s how to play Facebook Messenger games. In the Messenger app, open up a conversation thread with someone you want to play a game with. Click the blue Plus sign on the bottom left of the screen and then click Games. Here, you’ll find a full list of games you can play through the app.