Have you ever wished you could challenge friends to a quick game of pool from the convenience of your phone? Well thanks to apps like GamePigeon, you can now play 8 Ball directly inside an iMessage chat with that personal connection that makes gaming so fun.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn the history behind iMessage gaming, step-by-step instructions for playing 8 Ball in Messages, tips from experts, and answers to frequently asked questions around getting started. Let‘s break open the app and rack ‘em up!
A Brief History of iMessage & Mobile Gaming
To understand how we arrived at this exciting point where you can trash talk friends over a virtual game of pool, we need to briefly cover some key milestones.
Apple launched the first version of iMessage alongside iOS 5 over a decade ago in 2011. While limited compared to today‘s version, it offered wider file sharing and read receipts to make text conversations more dynamic. iOS 8 then brought third-party keyboards and more developer flexibility.
But the major evolution arrived alongside iOS 10 in September 2016. Apple unveiled an iMessage App Store specifically for discovering apps that live right within Messages.
This allowed developers to meet skyrocketing consumer demand for more engaging conversation options beyond text and emojis. Downloads of top iMessage app GamePigeon soared as users jumped at the chance to challenge friends to pool, archery, and more inside existing message threads.
Global consumer spending in mobile gaming apps has rapidly risen over 5 years, hitting $86.3 billion in 2020.
Apple clearly noticed gaming‘s soaring popularity on phones, evident by their 2019 launch of Apple Arcade. This on-demand gaming subscription offered exclusive titles for mobile and TV. Combined with large screens and 5G connectivity in newer devices, it‘s clear Apple is heavily investing in owning mobile gameplay.
Given gaming‘s explosive growth and Apple‘s sustained focus here, apps like GamePigeon sit at an exciting intersection. They merge this surging desire for gaming with consumers‘ emotional connection to messaging friends. It‘s no wonder challenging a buddy to a pool tournament from your couch has become so popular.
Now that you‘ve got the backstory, let‘s cover the steps to make this happen on your own iPhone.
Downloading GamePigeon for next-level iMessage gaming
GamePigeon pioneered the iMessage gaming space by launching alongside iOS 10 in September 2016 with casual titles like 8 Ball, sea battle, mini golf and more.
To join over 100 million users who‘ve already downloaded GamePigeon, simply:
- Open the Messages app and tap the app store icon.
- Search for "GamePigeon" and tap the cloud icon to install.
- You‘ll now see GamePigeon appear in your iMessage apps tray.
That‘s it! With GamePigeon installed, you can now open up a chat with a friend and start challenging them to games.
GamePigeon has stayed a fixture among Apple‘s top iMessage apps years after launching, topping over 7 million downloads by 2022.
Now let‘s get into the specifics of starting an 8 Ball match.
How to Play 8 Ball in iMessage Step-by-Step
Playing games like pool via iMessage offers that perfect combination of competition and trash talk with friends.
Here is the play-by-play for challenging someone to a game:
- Open your Messages app and a conversation with a friend who has GamePigeon installed too.
- Tap the grey App Tray icon beside the text box, then tap the GamePigeon icon.
- From GamePigeon‘s game grid, select "8 Ball"
- Pick your table style, teams if wanted, and handicap options.
- Tap the arrow to send your game invite, then wait for your friend to accept.
- Once accepted, the pool table will load (rack ‘em up)!
- Take turns pulling back on your cue stick, picking angles/power, then releasing to shoot pool balls.
- Keep alternating shots, sunking object balls, until one player legally pockets the 8 ball!
Throughout the game, you can open the text chat above the table to heckle each other as you compete to claim the victory.
Key Gameplay Rules, Strategies & Terms
As you play more 8 Ball via GamePigeon, keep these key rules, terms, and tips in mind:
Rules & Terms
- The break shot scatters the table. Sinking a ball assigns you "solids" or "stripes."
- Make legal shots by striking your assigned ball group first without fouls.
- Opponent gets ball-in-hand following any foul you commit.
- Pocket remaining object balls, then sink the 8 ball last to win!
Gameplay Tips & Strategies
- Use spin on the cue ball to curve shots around obstacles.
- Play defensively by leaving balls positioned to block pockets.
- Attempt tricky combination shots sinking multiple balls at once.
- In team games, privately chat a teammate to coordinate attack plans against opponents.
- Enter solo player practice mode to master shot power and ball physics.
Using these above skills and tricks will have you dominating opponents in no time flat.
Key Differences: 8 Ball vs. 9 Ball on iMessage
Beyond standard 8 Ball, GamePigeon also offers a popular 9 Ball game mode with its own separate rules. Here‘s a quick rundown:
- Uses just balls 1 through 9 instead of all 15 object balls
- Must strike the lowest numbered ball on the table first
- No ball type gets assigned to players/teams
- Pocketing the 9 ball at any time wins the entire game
- Faster paced due to fewer balls and simpler rules
By removing gameplay complexities like ball categories, 9 Ball delivers a more casual pool variant that‘s quicker to finish. But serious billiards fans may prefer traditional 8 Ball with its strategic opportunities. Try them both out in your group chats to decide a favorite!
Team Up for 8 Ball in Group iMessage Chats
A question that often comes up is whether you can enjoy GamePigeon‘s lineup beyond 1-on-1 games.
The answer is yes – GamePigeon has support for playing in group conversations by assigning teams. Rather than passing a single phone around, this lets entire friend groups simultaneous play games like pool across multiple devices.
Give it a shot on your next group hang! Rally the crew to each download GamePigeon, assign teams, and let the trash talk fly as you master multiplayer mobile gaming in Messages!
Expanding Your Library of iMessage Games
Looking to expand beyond GamePigeon‘s selection with more multiplayer titles? There are now dozens of apps solely focused on playing great games within your Conversations tab:
Popular options worth checking out include:
- Fight List – Compete in fast-paced fighting game tournaments.
- Lets Do This! – Variety of party games and trivia.
- Popvision – Fun mini-games like bouncing balls with friends.
- Letter Chef – Co-op word puzzles to cook up recipes together.
With new titles launching all the time on the App Store made specifically for Messages, there‘s almost an unlimited well of mobile games to enjoy alongside classmates or coworkers right in your messaging inbox.
Answers to Common Questions Around iMessage Gaming
Let‘s wrap up this guide by covering some frequently asked questions when getting started with GamePigeon:
Why can‘t my friend join my iMessage game invite?
First, confirm they have GamePigeon installed too. If issues continue, have them fully close Messages and restart their iPhone to refresh app permissions. As a last resort, uninstall then re-download GamePigeon to reset connectivity.
How do I challenge someone to an iMessage game?
Open a chat → Tap the App Store icon → Download GamePigeon → Tap the GamePigeon icon in your tray → Pick a game → Hit the arrow to send an invite.
What happens if I get a new iPhone?
Your GamePigeon data should seamlessly transfer over as long as you restore from an iCloud backup containing Messages data. If achievements or stats don‘t carry over, reach out to their customer support.
Can I play games on multiple Apple devices?
Game progress and data saves through your Apple ID rather than individual devices. So you can switch between iPhone, iPad, or Mac and pick up GamePigeon right where you left off!
Now Grab Your Pool Cue and Start Playing!
And there you have it – everything you need to know about competing against friends in 8 Ball, 9 Ball, chess, checkers, and more popular games over iMessage.
So close out of your other apps, rally some friends for a group tournament, and let the trash talk fly as you experience the engaging multiplayer fun only possible through messaging apps like GamePigeon.
Soon you‘ll be running the table and dominating every opponent with the skills taught in this complete guide. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
