Netflix has made a significant move into the gaming industry by launching a limited test in Canada and the United Kingdom that allows users to stream video games directly to their devices. This new initiative eliminates the need to download entire games or own a powerful console, opening up gaming to a wider audience. The announcement comes after Netflix quietly released an app called Netflix Game Controller for iOS last week.
In a blog post, Netflix VP of Games Mike Verdu explained that the tech company is still in the early stages of its gaming journey. However, they are offering two games for beta testers to start with. The first is Oxenfree, a narrative adventure game from Night School Studio that Netflix acquired last year. The second is a gem-mining arcade game called Molehew’s Mining Adventure.
The limited beta test is designed to assess the game streaming technology and controller and improve the member experience over time. Supported devices for the test include select TV models, Windows PCs, macOS computers, and mobile devices. However, popular gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are not currently supported.
To play these streamed games, all users need is a solid internet connection since the games are running on remote servers and then beamed to their screens. The supported television types for the test include Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN TVs. Netflix plans to add more devices on an ongoing basis.
While there has been no mention of support for game controllers or other game consoles at the moment, it’s possible that the current iOS controller app may be refined or physical controller support may be added in the future.
Netflix’s foray into gaming is significant because it allows the streaming giant to compete for user attention alongside other forms of entertainment like television and movies. Video games, like films, tell stories and provide immersive experiences, but with the added element of choice and interactivity.
Competitors like Amazon and Apple have already ventured into gaming, with Amazon offering gaming benefits for Prime users and owning the popular video game streaming platform Twitch. Apple, on the other hand, generates revenue from gaming through in-app purchases on its App Store and offers its exclusive games through the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The video game industry has grown tremendously in recent years, with research from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) revealing that 212.6 million Americans now play games for at least one hour a week. It’s not just a hobby for children either, as 62% of adults over 18 and 76% of children under 18 engage in gaming activities. Mobile devices have become the most popular platform for gaming, with 64% of gamers using them, compared to 45% using computers.
With Americans having spent $56.6 billion on video games last year alone, Netflix’s expansion into gaming is a logical step as it taps into a multibillion-dollar industry. By allowing potentially any device that can run Netflix’s core video content to stream playable games, the company could potentially increase the number of gamers and attract new users during periods of content production delays caused by labor disputes.
As Netflix continues to refine its gaming technology and expands its library of playable games, it will be interesting to see how the streaming giant competes in the highly competitive gaming landscape.
