Facebook tests tip jar for videogame streamers, launches gaming creator programme

Facebook Inc. logos are displayed on computer screens in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011. Facebook is expanding its Places Deals service to five European countries, offering users of the biggest social-media website discounts when they are near food shops and other retailers. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

LOS ANGELES: Facebook is stepping up its efforts to compete with Twitch and YouTube for videogame streaming: The company is now offering select videogamers a chance to monetise their game-play live streams on Facebook by giving their audience a way to tip them as part of a test of new monetisation options. 

The payment feature is part of a new gaming creator pilot programme, which Facebook announced officially Friday. ”We want our creators to make and sustain a living on Facebook,” said director of games partnerships Guy Cross.