SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 2 ― US-based social network Facebook has introduced high score challenges to its dedicated messaging app, Messenger, via a selection of miniaturised video games including “Space Invaders,” “Pac-Man,” “Shuffle Cats” and “Words with Friends.”
Seventeen games have made the launch selection for Messenger’s Instant Games collection, rolling out to 30 countries on the iOS and Android versions of the app.
Foundational classics from the ‘70s and ‘80s up to more recent hits are in on the action.
Maze game “Pac-Man” (1980,) earth defence shooters “Space Invaders” (1978) and “Galaga” (1981), bricks, bat and ball title “Arkanoid” (1986), a portion of input-mashing sprinter “Track & Field” (1983) and “Puzzle Bobble” (1986) have all made the cut.
Modern names from the mobile age have also been included, such as lexical pursuits “Words with Friends” and “Wordalot Express,” the numerical twists of “2020 Connect” and “Templar 2048,” and shooting gallery “Shuffle Cats Mini” from “Candy Crush Saga” house King.
The move helps Facebook’s Messenger establish itself further in a global segment of messaging apps that increasingly use games as a way to keep users engaged and in contact with each other.
Naver, whose interests are traditionally concentrated in South Korea and Japan, introduced a gaming sub-brand to its multi-use messaging app Line in 2011.
Similarly, Kakao Corp (whose founder had connections to Naver parent NHN) supplies a swarm of games for users to choose from.
And WeChat, provided by Chinese internet giant Tencent, started rolling out its platform of embedded games worldwide in 2014.
“We think this is just the beginning for games on Messenger,” Facebook said in a public announcement introducing the Instant Games feature. ― AFP-Relaxnews
