Youtube Playables
By Sherlene Hiu
In this current gaming era, there is no surprise that most companies are catering to products and services, in alignment with their own. Most are open to exploring different gaming tools and implementing them into today’s devices. YouTube has launched Playables, a collection of 75 games accessible via browser or app, housed in the platform’s library section. This expansion caters to users seeking interactive options alongside video content. The selection includes both modern games and classic titles, providing free entertainment options that cater to diverse user interests, and facilitating simultaneous engagement in multiple activities.
Playables on YouTube offer a diverse range of genres including popular mobile games like Angry Birds and Cut The Rope, as well as classics like 8Ball and Chess. Initially exclusive to Premium users, these games are now accessible to all users. At first, Youtube experimented with Playables in March 2024, to get feedback and seek interest from users. Currently, it seems that YouTube still has Playables on its platform, which means that users are likely to come back to play games and are interested. Unlike games on app stores which monetize through paid downloads and in-app purchases, Playables are free to play, competing directly with app store’s free games. Future monetization through ads, profits, or other means remains uncertain. Users may also have the option to save their progress and track their scores, which can assist with going back to their game status.
YouTube’s Playables integrate gaming seamlessly into its platform, potentially inspiring other companies to follow suit and enhance user engagement. Netflix has also ventured into gaming to bolster interaction and service offerings. This move not only increases user traffic on YouTube but also competes directly with Apple and Android’s Play Store games, catering to a broader audience. Playables offer a compelling alternative to traditional video streaming, enriching the platform’s appeal and diversifying user activities. It may also seem like there will be a seamless transition to interactive gaming as YouTube, known for its video streaming and watching platform, is shifting into something unique.
Youtube and similar companies are poised to maximize their potential by targeting specific demographics with games and potentially expanding into other media or widgets. There is a possibility that Youtube may have multiscreen and gameplay inputted in their platform, in order to improve and develop the evolving tech landscape, leveraging AI tools could further enhance their platform’s offerings, paving the way for new innovations in the industry. Experience in using Youtube has only been leveraged and there is more to come. However, it can also signal their evolution and search for opportunities to attract more audiences, enter global markets, or even push through multi-user objectives.
References:
Lewis, C. (2024, May 29). YouTube introduces new “Playables” game library. GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/youtube-introduces-new-playables-game-library/1100-6523785/
Perez, S. (2024, May 29). YouTube’s Free Games Catalog “playables” rolls out to all users. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/28/youtubes-free-games-catalog-playables-rolls-out-to-all-users/