Threads Tests In-Message Basketball Game to Spice Up Chats
Meta is quietly testing a new way to keep Threads users engaged: in-message games. According to a TechCrunch report confirmed by a Meta spokesperson, the company is internally prototyping a basketball mini-game that could soon let users shoot hoops directly inside private chats. While still in early development and not yet available to the public, this move signals Meta’s ambition to turn Threads into more than just a Twitter alternative—it could become a social playground.
The basketball game was first uncovered by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who shared a screenshot showing a simple interface where users swipe their finger to launch a virtual ball toward a hoop. Early indications suggest the game will allow friends to compete for the highest score, echoing the mechanics of popular mobile titles like Paper Toss or Swish. If launched, it would mark Threads’ first foray into interactive entertainment within direct messages.
Why In-Message Gaming Could Be a Game-Changer for Threads
Adding games directly into chats isn’t just a fun gimmick—it’s a strategic play. Platforms like Apple’s Messages have long supported third-party games through integrations like GamePigeon, giving users a reason to stay in conversations longer. Meanwhile, competitors such as X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky offer no native gaming features. By embedding lightweight, competitive games, Threads could boost daily engagement and retention, especially among younger users who crave interactive social experiences.
Meta has precedent here. In 2025, Instagram quietly rolled out a hidden emoji-balancing game in DMs, where users tapped to keep a bouncing emoji aloft using a virtual paddle. That experiment, though never officially promoted, demonstrated Meta’s interest in turning messaging into a venue for shared play. The new basketball prototype appears to build on that concept with more polished visuals and clearer competitive mechanics.
How the Basketball Game Works (So Far)
Based on Paluzzi’s findings, the Threads basketball game uses intuitive touchscreen gestures. Players swipe upward to shoot, with trajectory and power likely determined by the length and speed of the motion. The goal is straightforward: sink as many baskets as possible within a time limit or turn-based format. While details about scoring, leaderboards, or multiplayer sync are still scarce, the simplicity aligns with Meta’s mobile-first philosophy—easy to learn, hard to master.
Such micro-games thrive on immediacy. Unlike downloading a standalone app, in-chat games eliminate friction. You’re already talking to a friend—why not challenge them to a quick round? This seamless integration could make gaming feel less like an activity and more like a natural extension of conversation.
A Strategic Push Beyond Text-Based Socializing
Threads launched in 2023 as a text-centric rival to X, but its growth has plateaued in recent months. Introducing interactive elements like games could reinvigorate the platform by offering something X can’t: playful, low-stakes social bonding. In an era where attention spans are short and novelty drives retention, Meta seems to understand that social networks must evolve beyond posting and replying.
Moreover, in-message games support Meta’s broader ecosystem strategy. Threads is built on the same infrastructure as Instagram, and features often cross-pollinate between the two. If the basketball game proves popular in Threads DMs, it could eventually appear in Instagram Direct—amplifying its reach to over 2 billion users.
Privacy and Performance: What Users Should Know
While exciting, in-message games also raise questions about data usage and performance. Will these games collect gameplay metrics? Could they slow down message loading on older devices? Meta hasn’t addressed these concerns yet, but given its recent focus on transparency, any public rollout would likely include clear privacy disclosures.
That said, early prototypes suggest the game is lightweight—likely built using web-based technologies like HTML5 or Meta’s internal frameworks. This keeps file sizes small and minimizes battery drain, crucial for maintaining mobile readability and performance across global markets.
Not All Prototypes Make It to Launch—But This One Feels Different
It’s important to temper expectations: Meta tests hundreds of features internally, and many never see daylight. However, the timing of this basketball game feels intentional. With 2026 shaping up as a pivotal year for social platforms competing for Gen Z attention, Meta appears ready to double down on “social play”—a trend already thriving in apps like Snapchat and Discord.
The fact that Meta confirmed the prototype to TechCrunch (rather than staying silent) hints at genuine interest in a public release. Unlike vague rumors, this acknowledgment suggests the feature is past the conceptual stage and into active user testing—though a rollout could still be months away.
What This Means for the Future of Messaging
If successful, Threads’ in-message games could normalize gaming as a core part of digital conversation. Imagine sending a friend a meme, then instantly challenging them to a quick round of hoops—all without leaving the chat window. This blurs the line between communication and entertainment, creating richer, more dynamic interactions.
And basketball might just be the beginning. If the framework proves stable, we could see trivia, word puzzles, or even co-op mini-games added over time. Meta has the engineering muscle and user base to turn Threads into a hub for casual, social gaming—no app store download required.
Stay Tuned, But Don’t Hold Your Breath
For now, the basketball game remains an internal experiment. There’s no official release date, and Meta hasn’t committed to launching it widely. Still, the move underscores a clear direction: Threads isn’t just about what you say—it’s about what you do together. As social platforms battle for relevance in an oversaturated market, sometimes the simplest ideas—like shooting hoops with a friend—can make the biggest splash.
Keep an eye on your Threads app in the coming months. You might just find a virtual basketball waiting in your next DM.
