On Tuesday, May 28, YouTube unveiled the expansion of its Playables feature to all users. This update allows users of the popular video-streaming platform to access a variety of games without the need for downloads. Initially launched in November 2023, Playables featured 30 arcade games exclusively for YouTube Premium subscribers in select regions until March 28.
YouTube Playables Rollout Begins
In a recent blog announcement, the company revealed that Playables—a selection of complimentary games available directly on the platform—has now become accessible to all users across various platforms. Currently, YouTube offers approximately 75 games in the Playables section, which does not require a premium subscription.
However, the rollout of this feature seems to be happening in phases. Staff members from Gadgets 360 experienced issues accessing the Playables section, which resulted in errors when visiting the official link. Additionally, the Playables tab is not yet visible in the navigation menu on both the website and mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Games on YouTube Playables
YouTube Playables: How to Start Gaming for Free
To explore free games on YouTube, users can either use the app on their Android or iOS devices or visit the YouTube website. The Playables section can be found within the Explore menu, where users can choose from over 75 titles, including popular games such as Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask, and Trivia Crack.
YouTube has joined other video-streaming services in the gaming arena. In November 2021, Netflix introduced its own lineup of games, promoting a new entertainment experience on mobile devices, which now includes titles like Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition and Stranger Things 3: The Game.
YouTube Cracks Down on Ad Blockers
In related news, YouTube is also taking steps to address ad blockers. Reports indicate that users employing these tools are now unable to watch videos as the platform automatically skips to the end of the content. Additionally, if users find ways around this restriction, they may encounter issues such as the audio being muted.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the video service to combat ad blockers, emphasizing that advertisements support a diverse range of creators worldwide and enable billions to enjoy their favorite content on YouTube, according to Christopher Lawton, Communications Manager at YouTube.