Facebook Messenger has a new hidden basketball game just in time for the NCAA hoops tournament. The instant messaging service of the world's largest social network includes a new mini game for iOS and Android users called Messenger Madness. It lets b-ball fans compete in a shooting contest in the spirit of 68 March Madness college teams playing in their quest to become national champs.
The hidden game is included in an update rolled out March 17, Thursday, for the messaging app's iPhone and Android handsets. It is similar to the smartphone classic game Paper Toss, according to The Telegraph.
Instead of shooting a rubber ball through an iron ring, the Messenger basketball game is swipe-based. It is easy at first but becomes more difficult.
After each shot Messenger users must shoot the rock at more difficult angles, according to Engadget. The goal is to keep hitting a series of shots and earning a high score that a person's Facebook friends cannot beat. If players miss the mark the game resets and they must start with a super easy shot.
The toughest shots are after reaching a score of 10 points. At that point the backboard and hoop start moving side-to-side, which makes the shots very challenging.
Basketball fans can enjoy the Messenger Madness game by first updating the IM app. They must then send a basketball emoji to themselves or a Facebook friend.
After receiving the little picture Messenger users must just tap the emoji one time to launch the game.
Mobile gamers can play against a Facebook friend to see who can get more points. A message will appear in an IM conversation to show who has earned the highest score.
This is not the first hidden game to show up on Facebook Messenger. A secret chess game can be opened by typing ""@fbchess play" during a conversation, and then written commands are given to control the pieces on the checkered board.
In other Facebook news the Mark Zuckerberg co-founded company could reportedly announce a Messenger Bot Store at the F8 developer conference. It could be the biggest tech industry news since Apple announced its App Store in 2008.