YouTube is said to be experimenting with online games for mobile and desktop

Google is exploring online games as a potential new revenue stream for YouTube, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The platform has introduced Playables, a new product that allows users to access online games directly on YouTube. According to an internal email seen by the Journal, these games can be played on both mobile and desktop devices, making them easily accessible to users.

Playables allows users to play games on the YouTube website or app, whether on an Android or iOS device. While multiple games are reportedly available for testing, the report specifically mentions Stack Bounce, an ad-supported arcade game where players smash layers of bricks with a bouncing ball. This new product will provide YouTube with an additional way to generate revenue from the gaming industry amidst a decline in advertising spending.

Unlike Google’s unsuccessful Stadia game streaming service, Playables leverages YouTube’s large existing audience to attract users. This initiative is similar to Netflix’s gaming offering, which provides paying subscribers with access to casual mobile games. Netflix is also expanding its gaming efforts by testing TV games that utilize smartphones as controllers.