Netflix confirms it's making mobile games — and they'll be free to subscribers
Netflix has confirmed that it’s entering the gaming business — and it will start by offering free mobile games to subscribers.
Rumors had been rife that the streaming giant was poised to move into gaming, and it finally revealed the first details around its plans in its Q2 earnings report. While not giving everything away, Netflix announced that it will focus on mobile gaming to start with, a move that will see it go head-to-head with Apple and Google, among others.
In the report, Netflix said that it was “in the early stages of further expanding into games, building on our earlier efforts around interactivity (eg, Black Mirror Bandersnatch) and our Stranger Things games.”
“We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation and unscripted TV, “ the report continued. “Games will be included in members’ Netflix subscription at no additional cost similar to films and series.”
The fact that Netflix is starting out with mobile titles, and that it specifically referenced the Stranger Things game, gives us some idea of what we can expect. In a presentation on the report, Netflix COO Greg Peters added that its vast bank of original content will provide a fertile ground for games.
“We are in the business of making these amazing worlds and great storylines and incredible characters, and we know the fans of those stories want to go deeper, they want to engage further,” Peters said.
