Meta Tests In-App Games for Threads, Starting with Basketball
Meta is quietly exploring ways to boost engagement on Threads by integrating interactive games directly into the messaging platform, beginning with a prototype basketball game. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature is currently under internal development and is not yet available to the public.
The potential addition of games to Threads represents a strategic move to differentiate the platform from competitors and bolster its user base. Currently, platforms like X and Bluesky do not offer built-in gaming experiences, while Apple’s Messages relies on third-party apps such as GamePigeon to provide similar functionality.
The basketball game was first discovered by Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer known for uncovering unreleased features in tech products. Paluzzi shared a screenshot revealing a simple, swipe-based mechanic for virtually shooting hoops, suggesting a focus on casual, competitive gameplay. “The idea behind the game is likely to allow friends to compete to see who can score the most baskets,” one analyst noted, “mirroring the popularity of existing mobile basketball titles.”
This isn’t Meta’s first foray into in-message gaming. Last year, Instagram launched a hidden emoji game within its direct messages. The game challenges users to keep an emoji afloat by maneuvering a paddle at the bottom of the screen, fostering friendly competition based on high scores.
The development of these games aligns with Meta’s broader strategy of enhancing Threads with new features to attract and retain users. Recent additions include an expanded Communities feature with more focused topics, and a “disappearing posts” option, allowing for ephemeral content sharing.
Despite boasting 400 million monthly users, Threads still lags behind X in the U.S. market, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center. The report, released a few weeks ago, indicates that 21% of U.S. adults use X, compared to just 8% who use Threads and 4% who use Bluesky.
As with any internal prototype, the timeline for a public rollout remains uncertain. However, the exploration of in-message games signals Meta’s commitment to innovation and its ongoing effort to establish Threads as a leading social media platform.
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