Netflix Begins Public Tests For Free Mobile Gaming Within Its Platform
Image via Netflix Poland
Besides shows and films, Netflix is branching out into the gaming space. It has previously confirmed that it will be streaming and producing video games that would be available to subscribers “at no additional cost,” just like its other offerings. Rather than an afterthought, Netflix gaming will be an ambitious multi-year effort, and we’re now seeing an early, official version of it.
Netflix is now testing its mobile gaming section with a limited group of users in Poland, starting with one of its most quintessential originals, Stranger Things. Two titles—Stranger Things 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game—are now directly accessible in the app for some Android device owners; and following this, the streaming giant will extend trials to iOS users, iDownloadBlog reports.
Located under a new ‘Play Mobile Games’ section, each game gets its own title page, which comes with an ‘Install Game’ button instead of the usual ‘Play’. Here’s where it gets a little interesting: tapping on ‘Install Game’ leads users to the Google Play Store, and when downloaded, the title is installed locally on their device. This means Netflix mobile games won’t be streamed via the cloud.
Gry powinny być widoczne na Twoim profilu w aplikacji mobilnej. Jeżeli jeszcze ich nie widzisz, taka zakładka pojawi się wkrótce. pic.twitter.com/P2ViuzGHUl
— Netflix Polska (@NetflixPL) August 26, 2021
The roundabout method is deliberate, it seems, and ensures that Netflix will be able to support gaming without confronting tricky app store guidelines. As iDownloadBlog notes, app developers would otherwise be required to submit every server-hosted cloud game to Apple for approval. Given Netflix’s massive plans for expansion in gaming, this won’t be practical in the long run.
By directing users to app stores to install the games, the company would be able to offer an entire array of gaming titles without all that hassle.
Engadget details that users can also install the titles directly through the Play Store, but they’ll first need to enter their Netflix login credentials to be able to play them for free.
While the setup is still in its early stages, and bugs and other issues are to be expected, Netflix guarantees a few things: that its mobile games will be ad-free and won’t include in-app purchases. “We still have a lot of work to do in the coming months, but this is our first step,” says Netflix Poland.
The two Stranger Things titles have existed outside of the Netflix platform for years, but the streaming platform is already exploring more titles and formats too. For one, it has inked a partnership to venture into virtual reality content with Shondaland, the creator of Bridgerton. Former Electronic Arts and Facebook executive Mike Verdu has also come on board to lead this new category as game development vice president.
Porozmawiajmy o grach na Netflix. Od dzisiaj użytkownicy w Polsce mogą wypróbować dwie gry mobilne na Androidzie: Stranger Things 1984 i Stranger Things 3. Jesteśmy na wczesnym etapie i mamy jeszcze dużo pracy do wykonania w nadchodzących miesiącach, ale to nasz pierwszy krok. pic.twitter.com/T2QlTH4xoY
— Netflix Polska (@NetflixPL) August 26, 2021
[via iDownloadBlog, cover image via Netflix Poland]
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