Threads Tests In-Chat Games to Boost Engagement

Meta’s social platform Threads tests in-chat games as a bold new experiment designed to make private messaging more engaging and fun for users. The proposal is easy, yet potent: add lightweight games in the direct messages (DMs) of Threads to get more interaction and time spent in the application. This action is taken amidst the social networks that are ever in need of new ways of engaging the user beyond scrolling posts and chatting.

Why is Threads exploring games inside DMs?

Threads was initially a text-based social application that focuses on providing a user with a platform to have live chat as well as threaded discussions. With time, Meta started to add some functionalities to it and introduced private messaging, which is also referred to as DMs, so users can engage in a one-on-one or group chat without leaving the app.

Anticipating this, Threads is experimenting with in-chat games in an even bigger attempt to enhance interaction and make the discussions seem livelier and more interactive. Games have a proven track record of keeping people entertained. Just look at how popular in-message games have become on other platforms.

Also Read: Threads Makes It Easier to Hide Replies from Notifications

What type of games are being tested?

This experiment comes under the first look as a prototype game that was seen within the app by the app researcher, Alessandro Paluzzi. It is not publicly available yet, and the screenshots that have been shared on the web indicate a basic basketball-themed mini-game where users can swipe to shoot virtual hoops and be able to chat with a friend.</p>

It is quite simple: one can play with each other in mini-games directly in the DM, which is a fun means of staying connected. While it’s only a prototype, this early example gives a clear sense of how lightweight games could fit naturally into messaging, without requiring users to switch to a separate app or distraction.

Boosting engagement through play

Why would Threads test games in chats? This is primarily because of engagement of which is a major measure of any social platform. Chat games will ensure that the messaging process will be more interesting and will prompt users to spend a more significant amount of time in the app, as well as communicate with friends in new ways.

This type of feature also helps Threads stand out from competitors. Platforms like X and Bluesky don’t currently include built-in games inside their messaging features, while Apple’s Messages app supports interactive games through third-party tools. Threads tests in-chat games could give it a competitive edge, especially among users who enjoy playful interactions.

Still early days: When will it launch?

It should be mentioned that the in-chat game option remains in a preliminary in-house test. Meta has also verified the experiment to TechCrunch, but has not announced any definite plans to roll it out publicly or at what time. It implies that users are not allowed to use these games currently, not to mention that there are no chances of them becoming popular.

<p>No matter how successful the Threads tests of in-chat games would become, Meta might refine the idea, develop it, or even abandon it based on the feedback and performance. However, the very fact that Threads does in-chat game testing demonstrates that the company is exploring the ways in which it can make its platform stickier and engaging.

Games and the future of social messaging

Adding games directly into messaging isn’t entirely new; other platforms have experimented with similar concepts. However, the fact that Threads tests in chat games is indicative of a wider trend in social media: interactionalizing and entertaining conversational spaces. Upon successful implementation, this feature will encourage other applications to reconsider the way messaging operates and how users can communicate outside of text messaging and emojis.

Also Read: Meta Expands Ad Options Across Reels and Threads

Final thoughts

As Threads continues to evolve, the company’s willingness to experiment, like when it expanded DMs and chat features, suggests it’s serious about building a platform that keeps users engaged in multiple ways. While Threads tests in-chat games are still early and experimental, it’s an exciting development that could change how we think about social media messaging in the future.

Looking ahead, users and creators alike will be watching closely to see if these interactive features make their way into everyday use and how they shape engagement on Threads.