YouTube Testing Miniature Games on Desktop and Mobile Devices
YouTube is introducing a new feature within its app that allows users to play short games, expanding the range of interactive options available on the widely-used video platform. However, it is important to note that this is not a comprehensive cloud-gaming experience; rather, it can be likened to having a Miniclip-like gaming platform integrated within the social video site.
This is an experimental offer and as such only available to selected participants or beta testers. How do you know if you’ve been selected? Open YouTube and look for the “Playables” tab next to the content in the home feed. The games of a lucky few work both on the desktop site and on mobile devices.
There’s currently no list of released titles, but 9to5Google reports that there’s a game called Stack Bounce, where a ball crashes through rings through well-timed clicks. If the title sounds familiar, it’s because Stack Bounce was already available on Google’s GameSnacks service.
Moving the 3D ball around is also a far cry from the kind of games Google Stadia offered when it shut down, although the company notes that the system saves game progress, which is accessible through the “History” tab. In other words, more complex experiences may be in store, as there isn’t much to play with when moving a bouncing ball through rings. For now, though, it’s an archive of minigames.
YouTube isn’t the only video streaming service dipping its toes into cloud gaming. Netflix has made a pretty significant push into the space over the past couple of years, most recently expanding services to select smart TVs and PCs. Even TikTok is experimenting with simple in-app games as well as live trivia contests with cash prizes. Google’s Stadia cloud streaming service got into the stomach already in January.
