Playbyte, a Startup, is thinking of becoming the TikTok for gaming. Just recently, it launched an app which is currently available only on the App Store. The app offers users tools that allow them create and share simple games on their phones, and also a full-screen feed that scrolls vertically for you to play games made by other users. Also, just like TikTok, your feed can offer more of the kinds of games you want to play more personally over time.
While creating a game usually involves some aspect of coding, Playbyte games are created using simple building blocks, emojis, and even photos from your iPhone’s camera roll. The idea is not to be an introductory educational experience that tries to teach users the basics of coding, but rather to make game-building another form of simple self-expression.
Basically, Playbyte game creation is powered by a lightweight 2D game engine that is based on web frames and allows users to create games that load quickly and are playable even on slower connections and older devices. After playing the game, you can like and comment using the buttons on the right side of the screen, which is also very similar to what TikTok looks like.
Your Playbyte feed will show you more of the games you’ve played to provide more of the games that the app finds attractive, leveraging its understanding of engagement analytics such as images, tags, and descriptions of games. At launch, users are already using Playbyte tools to create a variety of games, including simulators, tower defense games, combat challenges, obbys, murder mystery games, and more.
Playbyte’s games have some constraints. Other than the simple nature, the game is limited to 5 scenes. Thanks to the limitations, a format has emerged where pressing “play” creates a game with an intro screen, a story introduction, a rewarding game section, and an ending to the story.
Playbyte is not only an easy-to-use game configuration tool, but also allows game assets to be reused by other game creators. In other words, if someone with more specialised knowledge creates game assets or puts together multiple elements using custom logic, the rest of the user base can benefit from that work. Soon, it plans to monetise its feeds. Creators can share sponsored assets into their games.
Gamers can download the app for free at the App Store.
