YouTube has always been at the forefront of innovation. From funny cat videos to thought-provoking documentaries, the platform has offered it all. But now, in a game-changing move, YouTube invites you to play along.
Yes, you heard it right! YouTube is leveling up its game with ‘Playables,’ a feature that promises to turn your passive viewing experience into an interactive gaming extravaganza.
Playables bring games to YouTube
‘Playables’ are games that can be seamlessly played on YouTube, whether you’re using the desktop version or a mobile device. This exciting feature is currently undergoing testing and is only accessible to a limited number of users. If you’re among the fortunate few, you’ll notice a dedicated ‘Playables’ section right alongside your regular content in the home feed.
“We’re starting to test a new experience on YouTube called “Playables”. Playables are games that can be played directly on YouTube on both desktop and mobile devices. If you’re part of this experiment, you’ll see a section on YouTube called “Playables” that will appear alongside other content on the home feed. We’re testing this with a limited number of users to start. You can view and control your Playables history and saved game progress in YouTube History.”
YouTube’s development of ‘Playables’ has been in progress for several months, with early reports surfacing in June about the platform’s experimentation with in-app games. While specific details about the games available are currently scarce, one rumored title, ‘Stack Bounce,’ promises a simple yet addictive tap-and-play experience. You may be familiar with the game because Google provides it through its GameSnacks minigames service.
Look for a new “Playables” area on YouTube in addition to material on the main feed to see whether you are a part of the experiment. Adding video games to YouTube’s roster of available content expands the company’s reach beyond traditional media formats.
More than just gaming: What sets ‘Playables’ apart is the ability for users to view and control their gaming history and saved progress within the ‘History’ tab. This suggests that some of the games may offer deeper gameplay elements that require users to save their progress, hinting at a richer gaming experience than what’s typically found within a video streaming app.
Gaming on YouTube
Gaming has already carved out a significant space within the YouTube ecosystem, with many of the platform’s most popular creators deeply embedded in the gaming community. In 2022 alone, gaming content generated a staggering 4 billion hours of watch time on the platform. Given the existing gaming focus and the active gaming community on YouTube, the introduction of ‘Playables’ seems like a logical step forward.
However, the history of in-stream games on other platforms has been somewhat mixed. Netflix’s foray into mobile gaming, for instance, garnered limited user engagement, with only around 1% of its user base embracing the new feature. To adapt, Netflix has shifted its gaming strategy towards creating titles based on its popular shows, potentially offering a more enticing proposition.
YouTube Playables’s future
The success of ‘Playables’ on YouTube remains uncertain. While it’s an intriguing concept, it remains to be seen whether users are eager to engage in gaming within a primarily video-centric platform. However, with the right selection of games and strategic integration, ‘Playables’ could increase user engagement, open up new revenue streams through sponsorships, ad placements, and add-ons, and provide YouTube with a fresh avenue for growth.
YouTube’s endeavor into mobile gaming is just beginning, with a small-scale test of ‘Playables.’ The platform is undoubtedly keeping a close eye on user responses, hoping to navigate the uncharted waters of gaming within a video-sharing giant. With tailored, YouTube-specific game titles, this new feature has the potential to become a sensation among users, redefining the way we experience entertainment on the platform. Only time will tell how YouTube’s gaming venture unfolds, but one thing is certain – it’s a move that has the potential to reshape the future of online entertainment.
