YouTube Live Update: Dual Streaming, Minigames & New Features

YouTube Enhances Livestreaming with New Features

During its Made on YouTube event on Tuesday, the video platform unveiled a suite of new functionalities designed to elevate the livestreaming experience for both creators and viewers.

These updates encompass the ability to integrate minigames, simultaneous broadcasting in horizontal and vertical formats, AI-driven highlight creation, real-time reaction capabilities, a novel ad format, and several other enhancements.

Significant Update to YouTube Live

The company characterizes this as the most substantial overhaul of its Live platform to date. This comes as the livestreaming market expands and competition with platforms like TikTok Live intensifies.

Data indicates that over 30% of daily active viewers engaged with live content during the second quarter of 2025, demonstrating the growing popularity of this format.

Introducing Playables to Live Streams

YouTube’s first announcement centered on the integration of Playables into the Live environment. Playables represent a collection of complimentary minigames previously accessible only on the YouTube homepage.

This addition introduces an interactive dimension to live broadcasts, allowing creators to engage audiences with popular titles such as Angry Birds Showdown, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask, and Trivia Crack.

Playables are intended to serve as an accessible entry point for aspiring livestreamers, offering a relaxed method to connect with viewers initially.

This move also strategically positions YouTube to compete more directly with Twitch, a platform renowned for its strong gaming community.

Dual-Format Broadcasting

Furthermore, the platform now supports simultaneous broadcasting in both horizontal and vertical orientations. This allows creators to optimize the viewing experience for users on both desktop computers and mobile devices.

Importantly, all viewers will participate in a unified chat, regardless of the format they are watching in.

As mobile viewership continues to rise, platforms are implementing features to accommodate this trend and effectively compete with mobile-centric platforms like TikTok.

Twitch recently introduced dual streaming, and Apple’s iPhone 17 announcement showcased camera functionality for recording in both landscape and portrait modes while holding the device vertically.

Enhanced Interaction and Creation Tools

YouTube is also expanding a trial program that enables creators to initiate a vertical livestream on their mobile devices and react in real-time to other streams or events.

Additionally, the company announced the launch of AI-powered highlights. These automatically identify and select the most compelling segments from a livestream, transforming them into shareable Shorts.

A new “Practice Mode” feature has also been introduced, allowing creators to test their setups without the risk of unintentionally going live.

New Monetization Options

Regarding monetization, YouTube is introducing a new ad format designed to be less disruptive to the viewing experience.

These “side-by-side ads” will appear alongside the main content, creating a split-screen effect.

Exclusive Content for Members

Finally, creators with channel memberships now have the option to seamlessly transition from public livestreams to members-only broadcasts without interruption.

This facilitates the creation of exclusive content for paying subscribers with greater ease.