Facebook to Pull Plug on Gaming App

Two years after its launch, Facebook says it is closing down the Facebook Gaming app.

According to an update posted Tuesday (Aug. 30), the app will shut down Oct. 28 of this year. When users open it, they’ll see a banner saying the app is no longer available on either iOS or Android, or from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.

“Despite this news, our mission to connect players, fans and creators with the games they love hasn’t changed, and you’ll still be able to find your games, streamers and groups when you visit Gaming in the Facebook app,” the update says. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you for everything that you’ve done to build a thriving community for gamers and fans since this app first launched.”

It was not immediately clear what prompted the decision. Facebook parent Meta was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

Read more: Gaming Sales, Engagement Slide as Discretionary Spending Shrinks

Meanwhile, gaming companies on the whole are facing hard times as gamers return to real-world pursuits and reduce their spending, PYMNTS noted recently.

Console producers, video game publishers and gaming chipmakers have all seen reduced demand, poking a hole in the theory that gaming is a recession-proof sector.

The industry had done well for some time, with the pandemic helping fuel demand.

But more recently, Sony and Microsoft have posted sales declines, and other companies have followed — gaming chip producer Nvidia has seen lower Q2 revenue due to a weakness in its gaming business.

Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard, in the middle of its acquisition from tech giant Microsoft, has seen a 15% decline in sales for the quarter, which occurred due to weaker sales for the console and PC market, as well as “poor response” to its newest Call of Duty game.