In a bold move into the gaming arena, YouTube has launched Playables, an exciting new feature that offers over 75 free games directly within the platform. Available on desktop, iOS, and Android, Playables lets users enjoy popular titles like Angry Birds Showdown and Cut the Rope without the need for downloads or in-app purchases.

This innovative addition marks YouTube’s entry into the gaming world, providing an interactive and engaging experience for its vast user base.

Rolling Out to Users

Playables is currently in beta and not yet available to all users. Google has announced that it will “widen availability over the coming months.” 

This gradual rollout began last September with a limited number of testers and was later expanded to YouTube Premium subscribers in November. Now, the feature is accessible to all YouTube users, although it may take some time before it appears on every device.

Accessing Playables

To access Playables, users can visit YouTube’s website or open the YouTube app on their Android or iOS devices. The games are located in the Explore menu, which can be accessed using the compass button in the top-left corner of the Home page. Alternatively, users can search for games directly through the Playables section in the sidebar.

A Diverse Gaming Library

The Playables library includes a variety of games such as Angry Birds Showdown, Cut the Rope, Trivia Crack, and Tomb of the Mask, as well as chess and crossword puzzles.

These games offer a “fun, interactive way” of using the platform, according to a YouTube blog post. Players can save their progress and monitor high scores, adding a competitive edge to the gaming experience.

No In-App Purchases or Downloads

One of the standout features of Playables is that it does not require paid downloads or in-app purchases. This approach ensures that Playables does not violate Apple’s rules or the App Store model, making it a direct competitor to the App Store’s free games, which rely on advertising revenue.

Competing in the Gaming Market

YouTube’s entry into the gaming market follows similar moves by other tech giants.  Meta is testing its Meta AI across Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, while Google’s Gemini allows users to leverage generative AI within Google Messages on Android devices. Additionally, Snapchat uses ChatGPT to power its AI chatbot, which can respond to Snaps.

This trend highlights the growing importance of gaming as a strategy to increase user engagement and revenue. Google’s own venture into the gaming market with Stadia in 2019 was discontinued in 2023, but the launch of Playables indicates a continued interest in this sector.

User Experience and Privacy

To start playing games on Playables, users need to agree to the terms of use and privacy statement and verify their phone number. This requirement has raised some privacy concerns, but Google assures that the phone number is not stored and is only used for one-time verification.

The progress of the games played on Playables is tied to the user’s YouTube account and is synced across supported devices. This means that turning off YouTube History will prevent the games from being added to it.

System Requirements

Playables can run on Chrome, Safari, and Firefox web browsers on desktops. For mobile devices, users need at least YouTube app version 18.33 on iPhones running iOS 14 or later or Android smartphones running Android 12 or later. On smartphones running Android 8 to 11, the games will run only on 64-bit or high-memory 32-bit devices.

Future Prospects

The introduction of Playables on YouTube marks a significant step in the platform’s evolution. By integrating gaming into its ecosystem, YouTube is positioning itself as a major player in the gaming industry. As the feature becomes more widely available, it is expected to attract a large user base, enhancing the platform’s overall appeal.

As gaming continues to grow in importance within the tech sector, YouTube’s Playables offers a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment. With its extensive library of games and user-friendly interface, Playables is set to become a popular feature among YouTube’s vast audience.

The information is taken from Business Standard and India Today