Facebook Gaming launches Tournaments to allow people to play together and raise money during quarantine. Facebook has been trying very hard to increase users of its Facebook Gaming streaming platform and has attracted celebrities such as Ronda Rousey to stream exclusively.
On Twitter, Facebook Gaming revealed a feature called Tournaments which it says will bring some "friendly competition" to gamers wherever they are. The feature is in early access, says Facebook, but anyone can create a tournament to compete with their friends, streamers can use it to compete with their chat, and it can be used to host global esports competitions. Events such as the Overwatch League have moved online as COVID-19 has forced them not to hold events in-person, and this Facebook Gaming feature gives organizers another way to make these competitions happen.
Facebook Gaming Tournaments seem to mostly be about competition as the feature also offers brackets and leaderboards. However, there are also fundraising features as streamers can use Facebook Gaming's charity livestreaming tools to raise money.
Sites like Twitch have hosted COVID-19 fundraisers featuring stars like Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, singer Charlie Puth, and kpop group Monsta X but this will allow Facebook Gaming streamers to raise money on their own, outside of big events. The feature is available at fb.gg/tournaments.