Threads Tests In-Chat Games to Boost User Engagement

Meta is actively developing a new gaming feature for Threads, signaling an effort to deepen engagement within its direct messaging interface. The company has confirmed it is currently prototyping an in-chat basketball game, though the feature remains strictly internal and is not yet accessible to the public.

The development was first identified by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who monitors unreleased software updates. Screenshots shared by Paluzzi reveal a mechanic where users can engage in a virtual basketball shooting challenge, likely involving simple touch-based swiping gestures to compete for high scores against friends.

Expanding Social Functionality

This initiative mirrors previous experiments within the Meta ecosystem. Instagram, for instance, previously introduced a hidden emoji-based game in its direct messages, which required users to keep an emoji afloat using a paddle. By bringing similar interactive elements to Threads, Meta may be looking to differentiate itself from text-heavy competitors like X and Bluesky, which currently lack native in-chat gaming options.

The move also positions Threads to compete more directly with platforms like Apple’s Messages, which utilizes third-party integrations to offer gaming experiences. While the basketball prototype suggests a new direction, Meta has not provided a timeline or confirmed if the feature will eventually see a full release.

Growth and Competitive Landscape

Meta continues to iterate on the Threads platform to capture a larger audience. Recent updates include:

• An expanded Communities feature to challenge Reddit and X.
• A “disappearing posts” function that archives content after 24 hours.

Despite reaching 400 million monthly active users, the platform faces a significant gap in market penetration compared to established rivals. A report from the Pew Research Center published late last year indicated that 21% of U.S. adults have used X, while Threads usage sat at 8% and Bluesky at 4%. Integrating interactive features like gaming could serve as a strategic play to increase time spent on the app and narrow this usage gap.