Facebook’s uncertain journey with gaming streamers is taking another major turn. The company has made an official announcement that its Gaming Creator Program will discontinue in 2026, marking the end of an initiative that was once intended to rival Twitch and YouTube Gaming.
Originally launched in 2018, the program offered game creators the opportunity to experiment with new features, direct contact with Facebook teams, and monetize their live streams through donations and fan subscriptions. It was launched to help Facebook create a quality gaming community on its social platform.
However, Meta has now decided to phase out this program and incorporate it into its broader creator monetization initiatives.
As a result, more and more creators will shift to Twitch, YouTube, or other gaming platforms to maintain their audience and earnings. For some, this move may rebuild their brand identity, win back their audience, and establish new partnerships to remain relevant in the changing content environment.
Why Facebook Is Ending the Program
According to industry experts, there are multiple reasons behind Facebook’s decision to close the Gaming Creator Program.
One of the biggest factors is low adoption and limited engagement compared to competitors like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Discord, and TikTok Live, all of which have stronger communities and higher monetization performances.
Another major reason is Meta’s strategic refocus. The company has been shifting its focus to short-form video (Reels) and overall social engagement rather than maintaining niche gaming ecosystems.
Finally, resource reallocation plays a major role. With Meta spending heavily on AI development, augmented reality, and its existing social products, the company appears to see little value in continuing to fund a gaming platform that has not been met the competitive standards.
