Threads Is Developing In-Message Games

Meta is experimenting with games inside Threads messages, starting with a basketball-themed mini-game. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature is currently an internal prototype and is not available to the public.

The in-message game was first discovered by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who frequently uncovers unreleased features while they are still in development. Paluzzi shared a screenshot showing a basketball game that appears to let users shoot virtual hoops by swiping their finger. The concept seems designed to allow friends to compete in chats to see who can score the most baskets, similar to other casual mobile basketball games.

#Threads is working on a basketball game 🏀 for chats 👀 pic.twitter.com/LGp22SLwRI — Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 4, 2026

If launched, in-message games could give Threads a competitive advantage over platforms like X and Bluesky, neither of which currently offers built-in chat games. The feature could also help Threads compete more directly with Apple Messages, which supports games through third-party apps such as GamePigeon.

As with many internal experiments, it remains unclear if or when Meta plans to roll out in-message games to Threads users.

This is not Meta’s first attempt at integrating games into messaging experiences. Last year, Instagram introduced a hidden emoji-based game in direct messages. That game allows users to move a paddle at the bottom of the screen to keep a chosen emoji bouncing. If the emoji falls, the game ends, and players compete with others in the chat to achieve the highest score.

The prototype arrives as Meta continues to expand Threads with new features to challenge rival platforms. Recently, Threads expanded its Communities feature with additional topics, a move seen as an attempt to draw users away from Reddit and X. The platform has also introduced “disappearing posts,” which automatically archive conversations after 24 hours.

While Threads now claims 400 million monthly active users, it still trails behind X in the United States. According to a recent Pew Research Centre report, 21% of U.S. adults reported using X, compared with 8% for Threads and 4% for Bluesky.

The development of in-message games highlights Meta’s continued push to make Threads more engaging as it works to narrow the gap with established social platforms.