Easter egg: Secret basketball game discovered in Facebook Messenger

THE weekend has started earlier for millions of Facebook users after news spread of a secret and addictive basketball game built into the Messenger app.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Mar 2016, 13:40 BST

Updated 18th Mar 2016, 13:41 BST

How to play the secret basketball game in Facebook Messenger

An update by Facebook now lets you play a basketball mini-game with friends directly from the Messenger conversation window. The hidden game, known as an Easter egg, is inspired by the current March Madness competition in the US.

HOW TO UNLOCK THE GAME

• In Facebook Messenger, select the basketball emoji, send it to a friend, and then tap on the emoji to load the game.

• A basketball will appear at different positions at the bottom of the screen. Swipe up to put the ball in the hoop.

• The object is to score consecutive baskets. After you hit 10 points, the backboard starts moving.

This isn’t the first time Facebook built a game into the messaging platform. Late last year, it introduced a chess game that can be accessed by entering @FBChess in the conversation window.

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