Initially launched as an experiment for YouTube Premium subscribers in November 2022, YouTube Playables has now been expanded to non-Premium users as well.
It is a section within the YouTube app that offers a variety of free, casual, mobile-style games, allowing users to play directly on the YouTube platform.
How Can You Access Playables?
In the latest blog post, YouTube announced that they are rolling out Playables in stages.
Some users in the US, Great Britain, Canada, and Australia may already have access, while others will gain entry over the coming months.
To check if you’re one of the lucky ones, look for the Playables tab in the “Explore menu” on YouTube’s home page. It’s that simple!
How Does YouTube Playables Work?
Playables currently feature over 75 games that YouTube refers to as “lightweight.”
These bite-sized, yet simple HTML5, arcade, and 2D games can be played directly within the YouTube app, removing the necessity for downloads or installations.
They are powered by GameSnacks, a service owned by Google, renowned for its assortment of casual arcade games that are optimized for slower internet connections.
The current lineup includes popular titles like:
- Angry Birds Showdown
- Words of Wonders
- Cut the Rope
- Tomb of the Mask
- Trivia Crack
- Chess Classic
- Stack Bounce
- Farm Land
- 8 ball billboards Classic
- Brain Out
Why Did YouTube Venture into Mobile Gaming?
YouTube’s move into mobile gaming is a strategic decision to capitalize on the massive $100 billion+ mobile gaming market.
With a significant portion of YouTube’s watch time coming from mobile devices, offering free casual games aligns with the platform’s goal of retaining and engaging its mobile audience.
Its competitors like TikTok and Netflix have already established their own gaming hubs, with TikTok’s hub launching in 2022 and Netflix’s in 2021.
Similarly, social media platform LinkedIn and anime streaming platform Crunchyroll recently rolled out its game offerings that are apparently similar to playable.
By introducing Playables, YouTube aims to stay competitive and offer a similar gaming experience to its users.
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