Facebook Gaming is now introducing Tournaments to everyone as a way to boost its features during the coronavirus pandemic and ensure gamers--both pros and amateurs--can stay connected even if they can't go outside.
Facebook Gaming Rolls Out Tournaments
According to a report by CNET, Tournaments allows users to create a competition between them and their Facebook friends or with the general public.
It's another way to keep everyone social and play with others despite being stuck at home due to lockdowns and quarantines caused by coronavirus threats.
This is not the first time Tournaments is featured, as it had already been in the works for quite a while and was initially designed for eSports and live gaming events where fans could follow the tournaments happening, with updated leaderboards and brackets.
Additionally, Facebook Gaming streamers can also use the feature host and broadcast their tournaments where fans can follow and interact with them.
Besides aiming to keep everyone connected during these trying times, Facebook Gaming has also included a charity integration with the feature, where they can raise money and play for a cause--a perfect feature today when there are millions of Americans alone who are laid off from their work.
Connecting Gamers in These Trying Times
Creating a tournament is as easy as creating any live events on Facebook.
Nevertheless, Facebook Gaming users could invite their friends to whom they are playing with as well as indicate how long the duration of the event will be.
According to Facebook, the feature has been rolled out today and ready to be used, but it's still in "early access," so there are features that may not work as planned, or it might be missing some key elements.
It should also be available worldwide.
As time passes by and Facebook garners more feedback from its users, the feature will be enhanced.
Read Also : [VIRAL] Teens Sell Own Explicit Photos and Videos on Social Media Sites for Thousands of Dollars
In a report by VentureBeat, head engineer of Facebook Gaming, Mina Abouseif, revealed that they decided to release the feature earlier than expected to help people cope up with the isolation due to the global pandemic.
"Our mission for Facebook gaming is to build the world's gaming community, and organized gameplay has always been a big part of gaming, regardless of levels of competition," Abouseif said.
The head engineer further emphasized that it's open for everyone, be it a family or a group of friends trying to connect, or creators who create tournaments for views and supporters, or even by big eSports organizations.
Facebook Gaming and Oculus have recently confirmed that they will be part of the #PlayApartTogether campaign, where big gaming companies go together to support the World Health Organization by raising awareness about coronavirus and its dangers.
Exponential Growth for Facebook Gaming
Although Facebook Gaming is relatively new, it had a good year so far, according to The Verge.
A live-streaming software and analytics provider has disclosed that the platform has gained great growth year after year.
Now, more than ever, its hours watched have tripled, and the hours streamed has been doubled as a result of people staying more indoors due to the COVID-19 threat.
