In a recent report by the reputable Wall Street Journal, it has been revealed that Google is eyeing online games as a potential source of income for its popular video hosting platform, YouTube. The company has taken a significant step in this direction by inviting its employees to test a new product called Playables, which aims to provide users with direct access to online games within the YouTube platform.
What makes this development even more intriguing is that these games will be playable across various devices, including mobile phones and desktop computers. Regardless of whether users are on an Android or iOS device, they will be able to enjoy these games directly on the YouTube website through a web browser or the app.
While the report suggests that several games are currently available for testing, one particular game, known as “Stack Bounce,” has been specifically mentioned. This ad-supported arcade game involves breaking layers of bricks using a bouncing ball, offering users an engaging and addictive gaming experience.
YouTube already generates revenue from gaming livestreams, but the introduction of Playables presents an exciting new avenue for income generation within the gaming industry. This is especially significant as advertising spending in the sector has experienced a decline in recent times.
It is worth noting that Google’s latest initiative should not be confused with its previous and unsuccessful foray into the gaming market with Stadia, the game streaming service that was eventually discontinued. Playables represents a fresh approach, tapping into YouTube’s substantial existing audience base to attract attention and drive engagement towards this new product.
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To draw a parallel, Playables can be likened to Netflix’s gaming service, which offers paying subscribers access to a library of casual games on mobile devices. Notably, Netflix has also expressed ambitious plans for its gaming venture and is reportedly considering expanding beyond mobile devices by exploring the concept of TV games that utilize smartphones as controllers.
With YouTube’s extensive user base and the allure of Playables, Google has set its sights on capitalizing on the popularity of online gaming. By integrating games directly into the YouTube platform, the tech giant aims to leverage the engagement and monetization potential of this rapidly growing industry, providing a win-win situation for both gamers and content creators alike.