Are Facebook’s Gaming And India Investments A Linked Strategy?
Facebook has made two interesting moves this week – and the question is are they linked?
The social media giant has launched a gaming app designed to open the network to a younger user base.
And the company has invested $5.7 billion for a 10% stake in Indian telecom and digital services business Jio.
The company has a huge customer base of 388 million and dominates the 4G market in India.
Coincidentally and probably more obvious to Facebook’s marketing machine, the country where the most Facebook users live is India, with a count of 270 million and rising.
Hunt for younger users
Linking the Jio and Facebook data pools gives Facebook a huge data mountain and although accounts will be duplicated between the two services, the move gives Facebook unfettered access to a user base approaching half a billion people.
And that’s where the gaming app comes in.
India’s demographic offers a much younger user base to Facebook that the traditional North American/European and the gaming app is expected to drive more youthful users to the network.
The gaming app offers Facebook users the chance to livestream games, watch experts play their games and special events with celebrity gamers.
Amazon’s Twitch leads the space, followed by YouTube, leaving Facebook trailing in third place.
The app also offers a gaming newsfeed, video clips and memes.
Gaming rises in quarantine
“Investing in gaming, in general, has become a priority for us because
we see gaming as a form of entertainment that really connects people,”
says Facebook executive Fidji Simo.
“We’re seeing a big rise in gaming during quarantine.
“This investment underscores our commitment to India, and our
excitement for the dramatic transformation that Jio has spurred in the
country. In less than four years, Jio has brought more than 388
million people online, fuelling the creation of innovative new
enterprises and connecting people in new ways. We are committed to
connecting more people in India together with Jio.”
One in innovation is the app allows more people to access streaming games away from their consoles or computers by making logging in from an Android smartphone much easier.
Users can access Facebook Gaming via a dedicated link or can download the Android Facebook Gaming app for a smartphone from Google Play. Both are free.