Facebook (FB) wants videogame makers to make better use of its captive audience, so it’s partnering with one of the gaming industry’s top software developers to help make it happen.
The social media site announced Thursday it’s collaborating with Unity Technologies to help game makers build new games that can be exported and published on Facebook.
“Our mission is to give people the power to discover, play and share the games they love with the people they care about,” Facebook director of global games Leo Olebe said in a joint press release. “Unity is the world’s leading game development platform. It’s great to be working with them to help developers find new audiences for the games they pour their hearts into.”
Unity’s gaming software platform is used in games like Niantic’s Pokemon Go to create 2D, 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) gaming interfaces. Videogame developers and distributors like Square Enix, Google (GOOG), Rovio, and Facebook’s Oculus have used Unity’s engine to create games like Angry Birds, Lara Croft Go, and Crystal Rift, among other titles.
Unity essentially provides game developers with a shortcut in the game making process by letting them use its established software engine to make certain types of games rather than building the same components from scratch, according to a spokesperson.
“Developers channel their talent and passion into creating amazing games, but development is only part of the challenge,” Unity Technologies business development vice president Elliot Solomon said in Thursday’s press release. “Integrating tools that provide effortless access to Facebook’s network is a key part of helping developers find the success they deserve.”
Facebook boasts that its global audience of 1.71 billion monthly active users includes 650 million gamers for game makers to engage with their creative content.
