On August 9, 2019, we introduced a new Instant Games developer application process. Before you can submit any game for review, you will need to:
Once your application is accepted, you will be able to submit games for review and to launch them into our discovery surfaces (game list, etc.).
Learn more about how to Create a Business Manager and how to Verify a Business.
Per section 1.7 of Facebook Platform Policy, to minimize the risk of confusing information, only pre-approved games related to coronavirus (COVID-19) are allowed.
Before submitting your instant game, make sure it meets the criteria below.
Have visibility set to Live at the top of the App Dashboard
Have a Namespace specified in the Settings tab
Have all assets uploaded as detailed in the Game Setup section
Have an initial download size of no more than 3MB (or 1MB for lightweight games)
Provide real loading progress via FBInstant.setLoadingProgress
Respect the physical mute switch on Mobile devices (we recommend using the WebAudio API)
Use of SDK 6.0 or later, with all Custom Updates being sent via templates
Gracefully handle interruptions by subscribing to FBInstant.onPause
. The game should pause all sounds and implement a mechanism to resume the game (e.g., a "Resume" button)
Be in compliance with all posted Facebook Platform Terms and Developer Policies
Be linked to a business for App Review. The business must be a verified business in order to launch the game
Feel like a native game (it should not scroll, zoom or pan like a webpage)
Include branding in its name (e.g. "Messenger"; "Facebook")
Share an App ID with any other live applications (e.g., a Facebook Web game)
Link to any other website or app (exception: linking to a privacy policy page)
Ask for any user information that is not provided by the Instant Games SDK (including use of the Facebook Platform Javascript SDK)
Inline the Instant Games SDK, or use a version other than the one at connect.facebook.com
Send more than one Game Update per context per session
Show third-party ads
Show any payments functionality on platforms where payments are not supported
Call methods other than the following before startGameAsync
has resolved:
FBInstant.getSDKVersion()
FBInstant.initializeAsync()
FBInstant.getPlatform()
FBInstant.setLoadingProgress()
FBInstant.getSupportedAPIs()
FBInstant.quit()
FBInstant.onPause()
FBInstant.player.getID()
Since March 24, 2019, more methods can be called before startGameAsync
has resolved.
Learn more about it by checking what is new in the Instant Games SDK 6.3.
Specifically for iOS users, your game should not:
Cross promote other instant games (including via the bot)
Allow sending gifts to friends
Show any payments functionality or any reference to their availability on other platforms
Game Updates via Messenger can be a powerful retention mechanic when used effectively, but used poorly they can provide an annoying player experience and drive users away from your game. We provide the following guidelines to help you optimize your Game Updates via Messenger experience.
Name the Facebook Page associated with the Game Updates via Messenger the same as the game.bot the same as the game.
Set the default action to use game_play on game updates, so that the entire image takes you into the game.
Do not set messaging_type to any other value than RESPONSE or UPDATE.
Do not use the Messenger Platform's Broadcast API as it is currently not yet available for Game Updates via Messenger.
Provide relevant, timely and valuable updates to the players.
Triggers and frequency - complement your game loops:
Content
Landing experience:
Follow the general best practices for Messenger Bots.
Promotion:
Triggers and frequency:
Content:
The Review tab of the developer dashboard allows you to submit your game to our review team. Ensure the game complies with all relevant policies before submitting.
During submission, you must provide an Apple Developer team ID in accordance with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines 4.7. This enables distribution on iOS.
Do not include the instant game in-app purchases option in your submission if your game doesn't have an in-app purchasing feature. Review our In App Purchases page for more info.
Review should take under a week to complete. Once a game is reviewed, it does not need to be reviewed again unless it is found to be in violation of our developer policies.
You can track the status of your game on the Launch Status tab of the developer dashboard.
A game can be launched either globally or by country. Selecting the Select Countries option to choose individual countries.
We have put together the following resources to make sure your game has the best possible performance on our platform: