Facebook launches in-app game library with Instant Games service

Facebook has launched a new platform for games, built right into the company’s existing apps. The feature, called Instant Games, builds a playable library of free games directly into the Facebook Newsfeed and the Messenger app via a new update.

Seventeen games are included in Instant Games at launch, but developers interested in bringing their game to the platform can register to receive more information now. 

The biggest thing Instant Games has going for it is that the HTML5-powered service doesn’t require users to download or open any new apps to play. Players are able to go from seeing a game in their newsfeed to playing it quickly without ever leaving the Facebook App.

Because of its foundations in Facebook’s Newsfeed and Messenger, Instant Games is a very social experience and encourages different people in messenger groups and conversations to pick up games and compete for scores.

If the service takes off, this could potentially help games featured in the library to reach many of the more than 1 billion people that use Facebook and Messenger.

The closed beta is already showing up on iOS and Android devices, and Facebook has plans to bring the service to a total of 30 countries at this time.