Facebook Gameroom

Pros

• Free with a Facebook account.
• Runs very similarly to Steam and other services, so there's no new lingo to understand or learning curve to operate.
• Since all the games are hooked in through Facebook, you have the opportunity to connect with others and invite your friends to play. This is a huge advantage over similarly situated gaming systems, which have tacked on social and communication systems that can seem clunky, awkward, and forced.
• The client is easy to use, even for gaming novices.

Cons

• Requires a Facebook Account to access, so if you don't have one, you're out of luck.
• There are size limitations - games cannot be too large. This limits the type of games you are able to play and just how sharp their graphics can be.
• Most of its games are better for casual gamers, so if you are a more experienced gamer who likes harder challenges, this service may not be for you.

Facebook Gameroom is a gaming client that has been developed by Facebook. It allows for intensive integration between Facebook and the games that you can play from the service.

The program, which came out in 2016, was once referred to as Facebook Games Arcade. It is a desktop application that must be downloaded but runs like Steam and other similar services. Indeed, when you first open the application, you could be forgiven for thinking you were looked at a tweaked version of the Steam client. Because of the way the system is set up, once you download the client, you can play games directly - there are no additional hoops you have to jump through. This works just like Steam and other clients and is very convenient and easy to use.

As the name would imply, it requires a Facebook account to access. However, once there, you have the ability to play hundreds of games. Many of these games are things you have likely played before on Facebook. There are also a variety of old classics, like versions of Angry Birds or Tetris. Indeed, by and large, the games seem to run similarly to iOS games that you can download onto your phone or iPad.

Thankfully, Facebook takes an active role in managing its Gameroom ecosystem. Games are quality controlled, so you won't get any malware when playing a game. Games also have to come with a tutorial, so players are guaranteed the chance to figure out how the games they want to play work.

There are options within the platform for developers, too, as they have the option of uploading games that can charge for in-app purchases. This requires some awareness on the part of the player, as it can be far too easy to accidentally make a purchase on a system. It also means that you cannot allow your children to play unsupervised, despite the kid-friendly nature of many of these games. However, on the whole, this is a good thing for the system, as it provides a profit incentive for developers to upload games.

The client in and of itself is easy to use. The design is crisp and sharp, and games are sorted by category. Descriptions are easy to understand. Downloading games is a breeze, and once a game is downloaded, it's pretty easy to get started. Furthermore, the wide variety of games ensures that there is something for everyone: Everything from RPG to strategy to board games and more.

Coming hooked into Facebook's services also have a variety of other benefits. In addition to being able to find friends who may play a game that you are enjoying, or invite friends to play with you, you can livestream yourself playing a game and then respond to comments or questions from there. This is a fantastic way of the Facebook Gameroom piggy-backing off of Facebook and using its network to expand the accessibility and reach of its games.

Pros

• Free with a Facebook account.
• Runs very similarly to Steam and other services, so there's no new lingo to understand or learning curve to operate.
• Since all the games are hooked in through Facebook, you have the opportunity to connect with others and invite your friends to play. This is a huge advantage over similarly situated gaming systems, which have tacked on social and communication systems that can seem clunky, awkward, and forced.
• The client is easy to use, even for gaming novices.

Cons

• Requires a Facebook Account to access, so if you don't have one, you're out of luck.
• There are size limitations - games cannot be too large. This limits the type of games you are able to play and just how sharp their graphics can be.
• Most of its games are better for casual gamers, so if you are a more experienced gamer who likes harder challenges, this service may not be for you.