Once exclusive to YouTube Premium members, Playables now includes over 75 games that can be played directly on YT. With gaming becoming increasingly popular, YouTube has joined the list of companies with gaming initiatives by rolling out its Playables program across both mobile and desktop platforms. Users can easily access these games by visiting YouTube’s website or using the Android/iOS app and looking for Playables in the sidebar.

Expanding YouTube Playables to all users

YouTube began its foray into gaming last year by offering Playables to YouTube Premium subscribers. The initial phase featured fewer games and was available for a limited time, wrapping up in March of this year. Now, YT has expanded the Playables program to all users, providing a more extensive selection of games.

Features of YouTube Playables

• Wide Variety of Games: There are over 75 games available, ranging from chess and crossword games to popular casual mobile titles like Angry Birds Showdown!, Trivia Crack, and Cut the Rope.
• Progress Saving: YouTube allows players to save their progress, ensuring they can pick up where they left off.
• High Score Tracking: Players can keep track of their high scores, adding a competitive element to the gaming experience.

Casual gaming as a subscriber incentive

Offering a selection of casual games has become a popular strategy for tech companies to attract and retain subscribers. For example:

• LinkedIn: Recently rolled out its game offerings, reportedly providing entertaining options for users.
• The New York Times, Hearst, and Netflix: These companies have incorporated games into their regular services to enhance user engagement.
• Google Stadia: YouTube’s parent company, Google, launched the Google Stadia cloud gaming service in 2019 but shut it down in 2023 after just over three years.

The growing trend of tech companies in gaming

YouTube’s expansion of Playables reflects a broader trend among tech companies to incorporate gaming into their platforms. By offering a diverse range of games, YouTube aims to enhance user engagement and provide additional value to its platform.

Playables is now available to all users, offering a wide variety of games and features that enhance the gaming experience. This move aligns with the growing trend of tech companies incorporating gaming as a strategy to attract and retain users. With over 75 games available and features like progress saving and high score tracking, YouTube Playables provides a compelling addition to the platform.