YouTube Introduces Free Mobile Games Feature

YouTube has unveiled a new feature that allows users to play free mobile games directly within the app or on their desktop. This feature, which was previously tested with YouTube Premium subscribers, is now available to all users. However, the initial response to this new platform has been underwhelming.

In order to comply with Apple’s App Store regulations, YouTube cannot sell apps or games directly through their app. As a result, the platform is offering free games within the app itself. This setup limits the gaming experience and does not provide a competitive offering when compared to the games available on the App Store.

Some games, such as Tomb of the Mask, are able to save progress, while others restart from the beginning each time you play. Additionally, the controls for these games vary, with some designed for keyboard inputs and others requiring a toggle between the trackpad and mouse.

While there are a few standout titles like Tomb of the Mask, Angry Birds Showdown, and Cut the Rope, the majority of games on the platform are of low quality and not engaging to play on desktop or mobile devices. The interface on the mobile app cuts off a portion of the screen and lacks a full-screen mode, while the browser version’s full-screen mode only enlarges the entire browser window rather than just the game.

I appreciate YouTube’s effort to make these games easily accessible and ad-free on a browser, reminiscent of gaming experiences from the past. However, with platforms like Steam available, this move seems more like a statement to Apple rather than a player-focused initiative. Personally, I find it more convenient to play these games on my iPhone, where my progress is saved.

Currently, the interface for Playables has room for improvement. Users can only filter games by “Home” or “Browse,” with limited search functionality. The lack of high-quality titles and poor curation on the platform underscore why the Google Play Store has not been able to surpass the success of Apple’s App Store.

As Playables becomes more populated in the future, these initial issues may be addressed. It will be interesting to see if YouTube introduces original games, which could potentially attract more users to the platform. While Playables offers a clever way to play Google Play Store games on iOS devices, it is unlikely to significantly impact the gaming industry in its current state.