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Game streamers are something that Facebook wants more of. And it’s trying out a simple tactic to try and win them over in hopes that streamers will take a chance on the company’s platform.
Facebook Gaming is the third largest game streaming platform out there. Behind Twitch, which is number one, and YouTube, which takes the number two spot.
Earlier this year Mixer (Microsoft’s much smaller option) announced that it would be shutting down and its efforts would more or less be absorbed by Facebook Gaming. This led to what some thought would be the transition of two of the biggest streamers, Ninja and Shroud, moving to Facebook from Mixer.
Both however declined. With Shroud having moved back to Twitch just recently. Facebook also offered some pretty big incentives to win over other game streamers that were previously on the Mixer platform. That apparently didn’t work like it hoped. So it’s trying something else.
Facebook is trying to bring over game streamers by being nice
Facebook’s approach is all about being as nice as possible. It’s trying to be the good guy despite what people may think of the company as a whole.
For many, Facebook gives off a certain vibe that raises concerns over privacy. Head of Facebook Gaming Vivek Sharma told CNN Business this week that it’s “aware of its reputation.” So it’s simply trying to be polite and show streamers that the platform is worth consideration.
It’s just showing up and letting its presence be known, and delivering results, according to Sharma.
Some former Mixer streamers have already made the transition
So far, it seems that Facebook’s approach may be working for it. Sharma says that some former Mixer streamers have already made the transition to streaming on Facebook Gaming.
He hasn’t mentioned how many exactly have joined the platform, though. Just that some who were previously against it have now decided to make the jump.
That being said, Sharma does note a number range. Stating that between 120 and 130 creators had previously rejected Facebook Gaming’s offers. Those creators are now on Facebook Gaming.
And it seems that the success of other streamers played in role in helping to bring them over. Nevertheless, the space is still dominated by Twitch. It recorded over 5 billion hours watched from the most recent quarter.
That’s compared to the 822 million hours watched on Facebook Gaming. Facebook will have a long way to go if wants to close that gap.