YouTube announced on Tuesday (May 28) that it is expanding its Playables feature to all users. This feature provides users of the video streaming service with a collection of games without any downloads. Playables will first launch in November 2023, offering 30 arcade games, and will only be available to YouTube Premium subscribers in select markets until March 28. The Google-owned video streaming platform has rolled out the feature to all users, bringing a slew of free games to all users without a paid subscription.
YouTube trial content starts rolling out
YouTube announced in a blog post that Playables — a “collection of free games that can be played directly on the platform” — is expanding to all users across multiple platforms. YouTube users can now access approximately 75 videos through the Playable Content section without the need for an active YouTube Premium subscription.
However, it appears that the rollout will be in stages, as technology shout staff were unable to load the “Playables” section and the website showed an error when accessing the official URL. Meanwhile, the tab is yet to appear on the website and navigation menus on Android and iOS.
Games on YouTube Playable Games
YouTube Playable Games: How to start playing for free
To play free games on YouTube, launch the app on your Android or iOS device, or visit the YouTube website on the web. The “Playable Games” section is located in the “Explore” menu. YouTube said Playables currently has more than 75 games, including “lightweight, entertaining games” such as Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask and Trivia Crack.
YouTube is one of many video streaming platforms launching its own gaming series. In November 2021, Netflix launched gaming as a “new way to experience entertainment on mobile devices.” It now has products like Grand Theft Auto: Trilogy – Definitive Edition, Stranger Things 3: The Game and Football Manager 2024 Mobile.
YouTube cracks down on ad blockers
Meanwhile, YouTube is also reportedly working to block ad blockers. According to reports, using an ad blocker now forces the video to automatically skip to the end, preventing users from watching it. Furthermore, it is reported that the audio disappears if users manage to find a workaround for this issue.
YouTube communications manager Christopher Lawton said the move is part of the video streaming service’s “global effort” to address ad blocking, as ads “support a diverse ecosystem of creators around the world and allow billions of people to access the content they love on YouTube.”
