As people emerge from their pandemic cocoons, Netflix recorded its worst subscription increase in eight years. As a result, it’s introducing a new attraction to its lineup: video games. Netflix has announced that its first excursion into video games would revolve around mobile experiences. Netflix gaming will be available to existing customers for free. The streaming behemoth said in a letter to investors (via The Wrap) that it is still in the early stages of growing into games. But it sees the project as akin to its previous forays into original films, animation, and unscripted TV.
“We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation, and unscripted TV. Games will be included in members’ Netflix subscription at no additional cost similar to films and series,” the letter reads.
“Initially, we’ll be primarily focused on games for mobile devices. We’re excited as ever about our movies and TV series offering and we expect a long runway of increasing investment and growth across all of our existing content categories, but since we are nearly a decade into our push into original programming, we think the time is right to learn more about how our members value games.”
Netflix’s ‘N Game’
Netflix is yet to announce when gaming will begin in the streaming service. Although Bloomberg reports that it may come as early as next year. Former Facebook, Oculus, and EA Mobile executive Mike Verdu would lead the initiative, according to Bloomberg. Netflix later confirmed it as well.
There’s one more thing to mention that’s a little more speculative. Netflix currently states unequivocally that the first games on Netflix would be mobile. A data mine from just last week implies that we’ll ultimately see a wider selection of games on Netflix, including AAA games. Steve Moser, a data miner, revealed numerous photos from Netflix’s ‘N Game’ project. He claims the photos hid in the streaming service’s app data. The working title appears to be ‘Shark,’ although that may easily change. Moser also shared photos of PS5 controllers and Ghost of Tsushima. He was implying that a Netflix-Sony collaboration is in the works.
