In a move that hints at a love affair with the gaming world, Netflix has rolled out its game streaming beta version to the US audience, following a debut in Canada and the UK earlier in August. This step is akin to Netflix saying, “Why stop at binge-watching when you can binge-play?”
The beta, though termed “limited” by Netflix, unlocks a realm where subscribers can juggle between watching their favorite shows and indulging in cloud-streamed gaming on devices ranging from TVs to computers. The starter pack features two games – Oxenfree, birthed from Netflix’s Night School Studio, and the whimsically titled, Molehew’s Mining Adventure.
To jump into the gaming bandwagon on TV, users will need to download a special controller app on their iPhone or Android devices. And for those who prefer the good old mouse and keyboard, the web version has got you covered. The game streaming extends its handshake to select devices including Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Roku devices, and some TVs, broadening the playground.
Netflix’s gaze towards gaming isn’t a fleeting flirtation. Initially, its gaming library cozied up to mobile devices, but now Netflix is eyeing a broader horizon beyond the iOS and Android frontiers. A report from The Wall Street Journal (paywalled) spilled the beans on Netflix’s plans of conjuring games based on its blockbuster franchises like Squid Game, Wednesday, Extraction, and Black Mirror. The cherry on top? Discussions with Take-Two about licensing a game from the granddaddy of open-world adventure, the Grand Theft Auto series.
As Netflix buffs up its gaming roster, the additional layer of entertainment is a juicy carrot for subscribers. The amalgam of streaming and gaming could morph into a digital entertainment powerhouse, offering a buffet of interactive experiences. With a treasure trove of games on the horizon, Netflix is poised to turn passive streamers into avid gamers, adding a zesty twist to the streaming saga.
This gaming gambit is more than a whimsical whirl; it’s a calculated quest to boost subscriber engagement and race ahead in the cutthroat streaming marathon. As the beta version unfurls in the US, it’s game on for Netflix in the quest to conquer the hearts, and thumbs, of its audience.
The unfolding narrative of Netflix’s gaming journey is a playful nod to the fluidity of digital entertainment. As the lines between streaming and gaming get delightfully blurry, the stage is set for Netflix and its subscribers to dive into an enriched medley of digital dalliance. In the evolving script of digital entertainment, Netflix just added a playful, game-filled act, and we’re here for the front-row experience.