Facebook takes on Twitch with its own live gameplay streaming

In a move that positions the social giant against video platforms like Twitch and YouTube, Facebook today has announced that people can now live broadcast from a PC or laptop - something that was only possible via mobile devices since last year. More importantly to the game industry and the world of online influencers, this expansion of Facebook Live also extends to live streaming of PC software.

"If you're a gamer, this new feature makes it easier than ever to stream your PC gameplay to friends and followers and engage with them while you play," the company stated. "If you're giving your friends or followers a tutorial or how-to guide, you can incorporate on-screen graphics, titles, and overlays. Or if you're an artist, you can go live and switch seamlessly between cameras as you narrate the process."

It'll be interesting to see how much of the market Facebook will be able to wrangle away from rivals Google (YouTube) and Amazon (Twitch) as the rise of streaming and influencers continues. It'll also be important for developers to keep a close eye on how Facebook Live streaming fares, as it could be another valuable marketing tool - for both AAAs and indies, as Innervate consultant Becky Taylor observed during the Game Developers Conference.