YouTube is trying out a new feature for gamers called Playables, testing the waters as Google takes another shot at creating a gaming platform.
Playables lets YouTube members play games from their computer or mobile devices. Yesterday’s YouTube update briefly explains the test but doesn’t list games participants can try. Google employees, however, began testing Playables in June, featuring a game called Stack Bounce.
Players bounce a blue ball on golden sections of rings surrounding a tower. Hit a black spot, and it’s game over. The game is available on GameSnacks, a Google service. It’s likely Stack Bounce, and other GameSnacks games are on the list of titles.
YouTube was not immediately available for comment.
Playables marks another attempt by Google to get into the gaming world after the failure of Stadia, a heavily hyped cloud-gaming service that shut down in January after running for three years. Playables builds off the same technology but is intended to be more accessible than Stadia, which was hosted on a cloud-based platform through Chrome and Chromecast.
The video streaming platform has been experimenting with new ways to drive up subscription numbers by offering various mediums on one platform, such as live streaming, shorts, music, and podcasts. While YouTubers host live gaming streams and other related video content, the platform lacks any actual gameplay.
YouTube experiments are only available to a small test group, and there’s no word on when to expect a wider launch. Those in the sample group will see a Playables section added to their home feed and can check their game history in YouTube History.
Premium members can sign up for future trials by visiting YouTube’s experiments page. From there, you’ll find an option to opt into upcoming tests. Participants will receive a gift card after completing a follow-up questionnaire.