YouTube Explores New Online Gaming Service Following Google Stadia Shutdown

In a recent development, YouTube has reportedly begun testing a new online gaming service called Playables. This comes just a few months after Google's decision to shut down Stadia, its ambitious cloud gaming venture that failed to gain significant traction.

The rise and fall of Google Stadia happened relatively quickly, with the company pulling the plug due to limited user adoption. However, during the shutdown announcement in September 2022, Phil Harrison, the former head of the Stadia project, hinted that Google might incorporate the cloud streaming technology developed for Stadia into other products and services.

While it is uncertain if Playables is a direct result of this repurposing effort, the platform does share similarities with Stadia's vision of accessible cloud gaming. According to The Wall Street Journal, YouTube has started internal testing of Playables, inviting Google employees to participate. The service reportedly enables users to instantly play and share various games on desktops, smartphones, and tablets through the YouTube app, supporting both Android and iOS devices.

The extent of Playables' game library in its experimental phase is not yet clear, with only one title mentioned in reports: Stack Bounce. This game involves demolishing brick sheets using a bouncing ball and has an existing Android version available on Google Play. If this is the same game, it suggests that Playables could provide a means for Android developers to make their games accessible on iOS devices and desktops without requiring separate ports.

While Google Stadia offered exclusive games, it is unknown if Playables will follow the same approach. The leaked email mentioning the service did not provide specific details about YouTube's plans. In a statement to WSJ, a spokesperson acknowledged gaming as a long-term focus for YouTube, highlighting the company's ongoing experimentation but refraining from commenting on Playables.

The fate of YouTube Playables remains uncertain, but its existence reinforces that the closure of Stadia did not mark the end of Google's aspirations in the online gaming realm. This is further supported by an earlier report stating that Google is collaborating with publishers on new cloud gaming projects.