YouTube Premium has introduced a new feature called Playables, expanding beyond ad removal to offer subscribers the option to play arcade games. Users are notified about this feature within the YouTube app or desktop website, and after enabling the Playables tab in settings, they can access 37 available games directly, such as Angry Birds Showdown. The distinctive aspect is that there’s no need for downloads; all the games seamlessly operate on the desktop browser or YouTube’s mobile app.

This move by YouTube draws parallels with strategies employed by Netflix, although its success remains uncertain. Interestingly, even YouTube seems unsure about the outcome, as the Playables feature is slated to be available until March 28, 2024, after which a decision will be made based on user reception up to that point.

Also Read: YouTube Implements Slow Loading for Ad Blocker Users

This development follows YouTube’s recent crackdown on ad blockers globally, compelling users to disable their ad blockers. However, some users found alternative solutions that circumvented YouTube’s restrictions, and others simply sped through ads without skipping them.

Additionally, there have been user speculations that Google might be penalizing ad-block users by intentionally slowing down loading times on specific browsers. A Reddit user shared a video demonstrating a consistent 5-second delay before videos would start loading, prompting investigation into whether it was a browser issue, which turned out not to be the case.