YouTube Launches Playables: 75+ Free Games Available on Mobile App & Desktop

YouTube's Playables program now offers over 75 free games on its mobile app and desktop site.

Entering the gaming market, YouTube launched Playables for mobile and desktop platforms. The Playables library of free, lightweight games is now accessible to all YouTube users on the app and desktop site. A select group evaluated these games before they became available to YouTube Premium subscribers.

Playables does not use paid downloads or in-app purchases; therefore, it does not violate Apple's rules or the app store model. However, it competes with the App Store's free games, which draw casual gamers and earn advertising money.

YouTube Joins the Gaming Trend among Social Platforms

To access Playables, visit YouTube's website or Android/iOS app and click Playables in the sidebar. The catalog includes "Angry Birds Showdown!" "Cut the Rope," "Trivia Crack," and "Tomb of the Mask," as well as chess and crossword puzzles, according to News18.

YouTube noted in a blog post that Playables are "a fun, interactive way" of using the platform. Notably, players may save progress and monitor high scores.

In November last year, YouTube Premium members had access to Playables. The first phase finished in March 2023 with fewer games.

Other tech titans are also investing heavily in gaming. Netflix adds games through purchases, licensing, and in-house creation. Fortnite producer Epic Games is using new EU legislation to launch its gaming shop in Europe.

Google Stadia, YouTube's parent corporation, entered the gaming market in 2019. However, the online giant discontinued Stadia in 2023.

LinkedIn and other unexpected tech firms are entering the gaming market, highlighting a trend of companies using games to sidestep App Store commissions and boost income. Netflix games are available on the App Store, but an internet membership is required, according to TechCrunch.

These developments show that gaming is becoming more important in the tech sector as a tactic to increase user engagement and revenue.

YouTube content creator Sambucha reviewed Playables games, which he called "Most Hidden Feature" in the platform. Check the video below:

YouTube Implements New Strategy Against Ad Blockers

Meanwhile, YouTube has implemented a strategy against users using ad blockers.

TechTimes previously reported that many YouTube users complain that their videos abruptly ended due to ad blockers. The corporation has increased its ad blocker fight over the past year, but Google and YouTube have not made any announcements.

On Reddit, users complained that free YouTube accounts with ad blockers finish videos quickly and skip to the suggested videos screen. Even when replayed, it jumps to the end.

Users also note that trying to navigate the videos results in a buffering animation with no content, even after a long wait.

A Redditor published a video of this "weird behavior" and said the only remedy is to disable the ad blocker. After removing the ad blocker, videos play normally.

YouTube has been cracking down on ad blockers for almost a year. The platform gave users three opportunities to deactivate ad blockers before disabling video streams. YouTube's terms of service and regulations prohibit ad blockers.

In the past, YouTube warned viewers using ad blockers to upgrade to YouTube Premium or disable them so they could continue watching videos.