YouTube Enters Gaming Arena: Exclusive Playables Reserved for Premium Users

YouTube has launched a new feature called “Playables” for its Premium subscribers.

[{"selector":"#anim-65726b48-ef2f-4827-a3f8-3a2fdb292fa7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Playables is a standalone section in your YouTube app or desktop’s website that lets you play arcade games.

[{"selector":"#anim-1f4b823f-d35d-4a82-a94f-8c8456222227 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.277912310982195%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Some Premium users are now receiving notifications from YouTube saying they can now enable Playables through settings.

[{"selector":"#anim-b3c1b2f0-c14c-42fd-9b7c-e2e10216287a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Once you allow the Playables tab, you can start playing one of the 37 games available right now, one of which is Angry Birds Showdown.

[{"selector":"#anim-8041121a-d94d-4cd9-9de8-e76e8ac51342 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0, 7.760782355151471e-15%, 0)","translate3d(0, 0%, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Playables is supposedly one of the features that YouTube is rolling out to incentivize people to start paying for YouTube.

[{"selector":"#anim-bb4811d1-4c62-4cff-a1e3-49e174642fa0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Arcade games may be played in the Playables area of your YouTube app or desktop website.

[{"selector":"#anim-257889c2-283e-4418-bd93-2a72cc3c7803 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Playables section includes Home and Browse tabs, with the Home tab showcasing previously played games and popular titles, typically featuring six games.

[{"selector":"#anim-9ab6cc74-7c47-4419-a6f4-8754b61a2de6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] YouTube is now notifying certain Premium subscribers that they may activate Playables through the settings.

[{"selector":"#anim-9b42bb71-5b77-461a-8c87-2da20f024eca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The feature is available for smartphone and desktop users for entertainment without requiring users to download a separate game.

[{"selector":"#anim-9d586900-0f63-4a8b-9689-6109029f7345 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] YouTube is trying to improve its paid Premium service to incentivize people to start paying for YouTube.