Facebook launches Instant Games on Messenger for iOS, Android & Web

The games should be quick to load since they're delivered via HTML5, rather than as full downloads, TechCrunch noted. While players can compete via high score rankings, real time multiplayer is at this point unavailable.

The initial slate of games includes titles like Galaga, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Words With Friends Frenzy. All are free of ads and in-game purchases, at least for the moment.

Players can sketch over screenshots of their high scores, and share games to their Facebook News Feed, which will allow other players to jump in instantly as well.

For developers, Instant Games access is only in a closed beta, to which they have to apply. For the public, though, the games are accessible in 30 regions, including the likes of Canada, Russia, the U.S., Germany, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Notably absent is mainland China, where Facebook is banned.