Threads is prototyping in-message games

Meta is internally prototyping in-message games—which are games playable directly within a chat interface—for its Threads platform. The unreleased feature was first identified by Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who analyzes software to find hidden features. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the development of the prototype to TechCrunch, stating that the company is internally prototyping the game but emphasizing that it is not currently available to the public. The discovery highlights how Meta continues to test new interactive elements behind the scenes before making them accessible to the public. Because the feature is still in the internal prototyping stage, it remains unknown when or if Meta plans to officially roll out games to the broader Threads user base.

This experimental feature follows a history of Meta testing chat-based gaming experiences across its various social media properties. Last year, Instagram launched a hidden emoji game within its direct messaging interface to encourage interactive engagement. The current prototyping on Threads also aligns with a series of recent platform updates designed to expand user interaction. For instance, Threads recently introduced “disappearing posts,” a feature where posts are automatically archived after 24 hours to encourage more casual, real-time conversations. These updates show a consistent effort to integrate more dynamic features directly into the messaging experience.

These ongoing feature updates are part of a broader effort by Meta to grow the Threads platform, which currently boasts 400 million monthly users. Expanding user engagement is critical as Threads continues to compete for market share in the U.S. against established rivals like X and newer competitors like Bluesky. According to data from a Pew Research Center report released a few weeks ago, Threads still has a significant gap to close in the U.S. market. The report found that 21% of U.S. adults said they have used X, compared with only 8% who said they have used Threads, and 4% who said they have used Bluesky. This data underscores the competitive landscape Threads faces as it attempts to capture a larger share of the social media audience in the U.S.

Why it matters

Launching in-message games would give Threads a competitive edge over rivals like X and Bluesky, which lack built-in gaming features. It could also help the platform compete with Apple’s Messages ecosystem, which supports games through third-party integrations.