Likee bets on live rooms, voice chat and party games such as Ludo and Uno

Live rooms and table games up front

Likee now describes itself on Google Play as a live streaming, voice chat and party games app. People hang out in live and audio rooms there and play Ludo, Domino and Uno together without leaving the conversation. Its Google Play name says the same thing: Likee-Live, Chat & Party Games.

In practice the developer, Likeme Pte. Ltd., wants someone opening Likee to do one of three things. They can watch a broadcast, join a voice room or start a game, and in the room format the games and the talking happen in the same place.

The latest update, version 5.64.2, is rolling out now. According to the developer's notes it contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

Voice rooms, games and host battles

According to the developer, the live section covers streams about entertainment, music, gaming and community topics. Viewers can talk to hosts in the live chat and take part in daily events. Voice chat rooms are organised by interest, and people can speak or just listen.

Party games are played inside those rooms. The developer names Ludo, Domino and Uno, plus other casual multiplayer games, and says the games are meant to run alongside the voice chat rather than separately.

There are also live battles, which Likee calls PK. Two hosts compete head to head while the score updates in real time, and the audience can join in. The developer says these battles come with rankings and special events.

Where the money comes in

The catch is the gifting. Likee encourages viewers to send gifts to hosts they want to support, and its listing names animated gifts among its live features alongside beauty filters, face effects and real-time visual effects. Gifting is the part of the app that costs money. The listing does not say what any individual gift costs.

Google Play rates the app for parental guidance.

From short videos to live rooms

Likee started out as a short video app. According to the statistics site Expanded Ramblings, it launched in 2017 under BIGO Technology, and BIGO became part of JOYY when JOYY completed its acquisition of the company in 2019.

Likeme's Google Play listing now puts live streaming, voice rooms and games first. The developer points users to its official accounts on Instagram, @likee_official_global, and on Facebook, @likeeappofficial.