While YouTube already generates revenue from gaming livestreams, this new product presents an additional opportunity for the platform to generate income from the gaming industry, particularly at a time when advertising spending is declining. It is worth noting that Google’s previous foray into the gaming sector with its Stadia game streaming service was not successful, leading to its eventual shutdown. However, Playables represents a distinct venture, leveraging YouTube’s extensive user base and high traffic volume.
Comparisons can be drawn between Playables and Netflix’s gaming product, which offers paying subscribers access to casual games on mobile devices. Netflix, too, has ambitious plans for its gaming initiative and is reportedly exploring the expansion of its gaming offerings to include TV games that utilize smartphones as controllers.
