YouTube is expanding its gaming initiative by giving access to a collection of online games for Premium users, after running tests with select users starting in September. The Google-owned company has notified Premium users that they can now try out over 30 mini-games.
Users can instantly play the games without having to download anything. The games are available on Android, iOS, and desktop.
To begin, users can find a “Playables” shelf by scrolling on Home or through a “Playables” link in the Explore menu on desktop and mobile. The game selection includes titles like Daily Solitaire, The Daily Crossword, Angry Birds Showdown, Merge Pirates, Farm Land, Words of Wonder, Endless Siege, 8 Ball Billiards Classic, and Brain Out.
It’s worth noting that the games may not always be available, as YouTube has stated that the games can be played until March 28. YouTube often tests new features with Premium users before deciding on a wider release. Alternatively, this move could be aimed at providing Premium users access to the games to offset the recently increased subscription fee to $13.99.
YouTube is among several non-gaming platforms that have ventured into the gaming realm. Netflix, for example, has been expanding its gaming catalog over the past two years, which now boasts over 70 titles. The streaming giant is also working on venturing into cloud gaming. In the meantime, TikTok has been testing HTML5 mini-games with a few partners, including game developers Vodoo, Nitro Games, FRVR, Aim Lab, and Lotum. However, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has significantly scaled back its gaming aspirations, initiating large-scale layoffs in its gaming departments.
Games are not the only new offering for Premium users, as YouTube has recently been experimenting with new generative AI features, including an AI conversational tool that addresses questions about YouTube’s content, as well as a feature that summarizes topics in a video’s comments. Furthermore, earlier this month, YouTube launched more features for Premium users, such as expanding its enhanced bitrate version of 1080p HD to more devices, extending the ability to continue watching YouTube across different devices to smart TVs and tablets, rolling out achievement badges, and introducing new offers on the Premium benefits page.
