FanDuel Faceoff is adding a new sports-themed game, Swish Showdown. Inspired by the NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, the game allows users to test their thumb and finger abilities by shooting 3-pointers against the clock. They can play free just for fun, or like other FanDuel Faceoff games, players can put their skills to the test, competing against their friends and other players for a chance to win cash prizes.
The game features an NBA-branded court and FanDuel basketball hoops. Players pick the basketball off the rack and use their thumb to score. They can maximize their points in various ways, including:
- Hitting more shots
- Hitting bank shots
- Achieving power-ups and boosts
The game is live on the FanDuel Faceoff app. In addition to playing against other players, users have two chances to win prizes as part of two launch offers.
- Daily shot: Players get one free daily shot. If they score, they win a share of a prize pool.
- NBA Store Gift Card Giveaway: Players can win a $250 NBA Store gift card. To enter, they must play five free or paid Swish Showdown games from Nov. 20 to Nov. 26.
What’s FanDuel Faceoff?
FanDuel Faceoff is a skill game app in which players compete against each other to win real money. Users can also choose to play for free without the opportunity to win prizes.
The app launched in March 2022 and is available in 29 states. With the addition of Swish Showdown, it now has 13 games. That includes bespoke titles like Jordan Spieth’s Fairway Frenzy and Gronk Spike Cornhole (featuring NFL player Rob Gronkowski.) The football-themed Field Goal Faceoff launched as Faceoff’s first bespoke game featuring former Indianapolis Colts punter and current sports analyst Pat McAfee. However, the game is no longer branded.
Other games feature sports themes, card games, and other skill games. They include:
- Grand Slam Superstar (baseball)
- Cue Masters (pool)
- Wheel of Fortune
- Boggle
- Atari Breakout Blitz
FanDuel Faceoff is available only as an app, as the games are specifically designed for mobile. While it’s a separate app from other FanDuel products like FanDuel Casino, players can use their existing FanDuel account to log in.
Are Skill Games the Next Big Thing or a Bust?
FanDuel’s General Manager of DFS, F2P & Skill Gaming, Aaron Champagne, told Bonus Managing Editor Alex Weldon that Faceoff has exceeded the company’s expectations. According to Champagne, in the app’s first 18 months, users have played almost 75 million games. He says the sector is rapidly growing, and the company plans to release additional games.
FanDuel’s main rival, DraftKings, has also taken interest in skill games. But unlike FanDuel, DraftKings has decided to enter the segment with investments so far. Through its multi-stage venture capital firm, Drive by DraftKings, the company has invested in skill game companies like Papaya Gaming, Monkey League, and Burn Ghost.
That could change, as DraftKings might be looking at another skill game type — prop-style daily fantasy sports (DFS). A recently discovered patent application for “DraftKings Cashpicks” suggests that the operator might want to enter prop-style DFS. However, it could be just a precaution as some state regulators are questioning whether DFS prop-style bets are a game of skill or unregulated sports betting.
Michigan banned prop-style DFS in October, while states like Florida and New York are investigating the matter. That could mean DFS operators who offer the bets face an uncertain future.
Skill games face multiple challenges across the US. Skillz, a free-to-play platform for skill games, has faced class-action lawsuits from disgruntled investors as its stock has plummeted since its all-time high in 2021. Additionally, some states like Kentucky and Virginia have banned retail skill game machines. Through a new bill, Pennsylvania is also looking to ban the machines.
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