Chinese-owned short video-sharing app TikTok is reportedly testing games for the app, as part of its plans for a major push into the gaming sector.
A company representative confirmed tests of HTML5 mini-games, saying, “We’re always looking at ways to enrich our platform and regularly test new features and integrations that bring value to our community.”
The sources said in a statement that featuring games on its platform would boost advertising revenue as well as the amount of time users spend on the app, one of the world’s most popular with more than 1 billion monthly active users.
The testing of games is taking place in Vietnam. “Boasting a tech-savvy population with 70 percent of its citizens under the age of 35, Vietnam is an attractive market for social media platforms such as TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc’s Facebook, and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube and Google,” as per the reports.
TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, plans to roll out gaming more widely in Southeast Asia. The move could come as early as the third quarter, the statement said.
The company announced a partnership with FarmVille developer Zynga late last year to make Disco Loco 3D, an HTML5-based endless runner that could work inside the app.
The Chinese predecessor to TikTok, Douyin already features games, and other companies like Facebook and Netflix have recently made forays into mobile gaming.
“TikTok has also tested streaming software for games with its Live Studio for PCs and allowed certain creators to add more interactivity by including mini-apps in videos.,” as per the reports.
Last year, TikTok launched stronger privacy settings for minors, in response to complaints that it has failed to safeguard kids from hidden advertising and harmful content.
