Facebook adds a new element to its AR tools with new group effects on Messenger video calls, which will provide another engagement opportunity within your chats. As you see in the following example, group effects will see any AR overlay applied to all users in the chat, which could facilitate all-new interaction potential.

In light of this, Facebook explains: “Group Effects are new AR experiences that can augment everyone on a video call at the same time, enabling a more fun and immersive way to connect with friends and family. Whether you want to step your competitive game up or have fun with your friend who’s 3,000 miles away, Group Effects makes video calls more entertaining.”

Facebook’s Group Effects in 2021:

Moreover, Facebook’s also touting the multiplayer gaming potential of the option, with users able to play guessing games along with other interactive experiences with friends.

This could be impressive, also, with video calling at record levels over the last 18 months, with people looking forward to searching for more ways to stay in touch, it could be a perfect and worthy addition, as it provides more engagement potential in the app.

However, you would expect that the dependence on video calls will decline as people can get back to in-person interaction. Anyhow, still, the added capability to interact in new ways could be a strong lure to bring people back to video calls.

Moreover, there might be additional potential marketing applications, along with branded tie-in campaigns aligned to product launches, which could be particularly applicable to entertainment.

Additionally, Facebook’s adding Group Effects to its Spark AR API, and will enable creators as well as developers to build their own group effects. Also, at launch, Facebook mentions that there are over 70 Grou Effects available in the app, a significant starting library for the option.

“To check out Group Effects, head to your Messenger app, start a video call or create a room, tap the smiley face to open the effects tray, and select Group Effects.”

Make sure to take a close look at them.