Games have always been a part of entertainment in the world, and mixing games with enjoyment is something that YouTube is testing out now, offering "bitesize" titles to enjoy on the platform. Google is best known for also diving into gaming, particularly with its previous cloud-based games streaming platform, Stadia, but sadly, it is no longer available now.
A streaming platform that features games is not a new thing anymore, as this was popularly offered by Netflix, centering on Netflix Games' dedicated tab in apps.
YouTube Tests Games on Desktop, Mobile Platforms
As announced yesterday by Google's support page, YouTube is launching an all-new in-app experience that will leverage games to its users. This is under the feature called "Playables" which is currently under testing from the company.
This means that those who will be able to access Playables will only be those who are eligible to do so and under the YouTube Beta Testing program.
To access this experience, beta users only need to see the Playables tab among the different sections of YouTube including Home, Watch for Later, and more.
In this beta testing phase, YouTube claims that it will only add a limited number of users and games to start, with the app saving their Playables history to access game progress later on.
Playables is available on the desktop and app versions of YouTube.
Read also: YouTube Staff Veterans Think Shorts Could Destroy the Platform: Here's Why Some of Them Think So
No Cloud Gaming Platform for YouTube
According to Engadget, this new experience from YouTube is not a full-fledged cloud streaming games platform, unlike what other services like Nvidia's GeForce Now, Ubisoft+, Amazon Luna, Google's former Stadia, and more.
YouTube's Playables will feature mini or "bitesize" games to access on its platform, extending its content to offer multimedia experiences.
Games on Famed Online Services
Back in 2021, Netflix made a massive shift to its offers from purely media entertainment content to a mixed-media content provider which also bundles in gaming titles under its Netflix Games. However, it is not exactly a cloud-based game streaming platform as the company would provide gamers with links to their famed games that will launch via the app, but it still needs to be downloaded on respective App Stores for mobile.
Another renowned tech giant that was into streaming games directly from their apps was Meta's Facebook and Messenger, with the company offering different titles to enjoy. Iconic titles were already brought by Facebook for the world to enjoy, including Tetris, with the company still looking to expand what it has to offer, previously partnering with Ubisoft.
Google is not new to the game streaming experience, particularly as it had the Stadia before, but like Icarus from Greek mythology, it was able to fly high and not able to sustain its track. Now, YouTube is beta testing its take on offering mini-games on its platform, with users who are fed up with watching videos now able to try out different games under Playables.
