Netflix will offer mobile games with your subscription
TL; DR
- Netflix has confirmed that it will include mobile games at no extra charge for subscribers.
- It’s not clear what games you’re getting, how to get them, or how much they’re going to cost.
- Rumors indicated a possible launch by 2022.
Netflix is finally shedding light on gaming. How The edge As noted, Netflix has confirmed in a letter to shareholders that it will offer games to subscribers at no additional charge, starting with mobile titles.
The company didn’t outline the games it would offer, the delivery mechanisms, or the platforms it would support. A start date was also not mentioned. It justified the move by arguing that the “time has come” to understand how Netflix subscribers value games.
Netflix also recently added games to a deal with Shonda Rhimes, but there’s no guarantee that this will be game-related for subscribers. The streaming giant has so far relied on interactive shows such as Black mirror: Bandersnatch as well as brand ties like the Strange things Games.
A Netflix game offering would be something like a game of chance. Although there is little doubt that many of its subscribers are gamers (The witcher is successful in part due to the recognition of gamers, not just readers) it is not clear that many people will subscribe just for the chance to play some “free” mobile games.
Then there is the not so small question of competition. Netflix faces Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass, both of which have had plenty of time to add games to their collections. However, these competing services are solely focused on games, and even an Apple One bundle is hard to sell unless you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. Netflix could benefit from the simple fact that it’s ubiquitous – there’s a good chance you’re already a subscriber. This can be more about keeping customers than driving new signups.
