Netflix Debuts Mobile Gaming Service Globally, Beginning With Android
Image via Netflix
In August, Netflix announced it was testing its mobile game lineup with a select group of users in Poland, including two titles based on its wildly-popular television series, Stranger Things. Now, the streaming platform is rolling out its debut games to Android members globally.
Users can access the lineup under the new ‘Games’ tab on the Netflix app for Android, which will direct them to the Google Play Store to install their game of choice. Unlike the initial testing phase, the games will no longer be limited to just smartphones, but will be available on Android tablets as well.
Netflix’s Geeked Twitter account says iOS support is “on the way,” though the way this will be executed isn’t clear.
🎮📱 Let the Games Begin📱🎮
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 2, 2021
Tomorrow, Netflix Games will start rolling out on the Netflix mobile app. First on Android, with iOS on the way.
It’s early days, but we’re excited to start bringing you exclusive games, with no ads, no additional fees and no in-app purchases. pic.twitter.com/ofNGF4b8At
It’s been previously posited that this roundabout way of making users download the games locally onto their devices, instead of hosting them directly on the cloud, could be how the company plans to circumvent Apple’s App Store guidelines in the coming months.
The first five titles are revealed to include Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Card Blast, and Teeter Up.
Polygon noted that some of the games will require an internet connection, though several will be available to play offline. Interestingly, the streaming service has not made the games available on kids’ accounts, so only adult members will be able to access them.
According to TechCrunch, Netflix doesn’t have plans to monetize the games at the moment, rather viewing the new offerings as a way to boost its subscriber base and attract new signups. The titles won’t involve any in-app purchases, either.
Though, the firm could eventually personalize game recommendations to its members, much like how it suggests movies and television shows at the moment.
“Mostly what we’ve done to date is about essentially making sure that all of our systems are working as we expect. So it’s really about proving to ourselves that we can do the delivery in a way that we want,” explained Netflix’s Chief Product Officer, Gregory Peters.
“The same thing that’s made our service very powerful for recommending movies and TV shows, connecting great content creators to this audience — that’s the capability that we need to build on the game side now,” he said.
[via TechCrunch and Polygon, cover image Netflix]
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