Google’s YouTube is testing an online-games offering called “Playables.” The service is currently in the early stages of development. It could eventually allow users to play games directly on YouTube without having to download or install them.
Playables is part of CEO Sundar Pichai’s push into new areas for YouTube. This comes amid a slowdown in advertising revenue. The company is also looking to expand into e-commerce and live streaming.
It’s unclear how successful Playables will be. However, it’s an interesting sign that YouTube is looking to diversify its offerings. With a massive user base, YouTube has the potential to be a major player in the online gaming market.
Here are some additional details about Playables:
- The service is currently being tested in a limited number of countries.
- Games are played in a browser window, so there’s no need to download or install them.
- Games are short and interactive, designed to be played in short bursts.
- Playables is not yet available to everyone, but it’s expected to roll out more widely in the coming months.
