Google is reportedly testing online gaming on the enormous video platform YouTube. This new feature would allow people to instantly play online games on their phones and computers through YouTube.
The new feature is currently called ‘Playables’, an email from Wall Street Journal shows Google calling for employees to help in testing the product. The testing reportedly has the same appearance of playing the various arcade games on other platforms like Facebook such as Bejeweled Blitz and Stack Bounce. The games on Playable would be designed to be played directly through the YouTube web browser and application on mobile devices as long as they have Android and iOS operating systems. This easy accessibility ensures that the new potentially new gaming platform would cater to wide range of users and provide them with effortless gaming experiences on their preferred devices. The Google subsidiary is reportedly conducting internal tests on this new product with the aim of providing users with an online gaming experience not previously seen on YouTube. Furthermore, the email encouraged employees to explore and evaluate the gaming capabilities of Playables on YouTube.
Google has not confirmed that this testing is currently underway, however. They have stated, “Gaming has long been focus at YouTube… We’re always experimenting with new features, but have nothing to announce right now.” YouTube has acknowledged their longstanding attention towards developing gaming on their platform and that they have experimented with new features in the past. However, YouTube has not made any official or specific announcements of Playable. Nevertheless, Neal Mohan, YouTube’s Chief Executive Officer, has been exploring opportunities that align with his promises of expanding the company’s avenues of growth.
Not too long ago, Google had shut down their game streaming service Stadia which has led to speculations of Google integrating that technology into other products. Such innovations have the potential of allowing YouTube users to instantly gain access to games featured in trailer or advertisements on the platform: without having to leave the page, peoples could play games with their favorite content creators which would put Playables a step ahead of other platforms. YouTube has already been a prominent hub world for video game streaming and gameplay footage, but this would be tapping into new territory.