Netflix is rolling out a limited beta test of games to a small number of members in Canada and the U.K. on select TVs.
Within the next few weeks, it will do the same on PCs and Macs through Netflix.com on supported browsers, Netflix Vice President of Games Mike Verdu said in a Monday (Aug. 14) press release.
“We’ve been focused on creating a great gaming experience since 2021 when we added mobile games to Netflix,” Verdu said in the release.
He added, “Today, we’re taking the first step in making games playable on every device where our members enjoy Netflix — TVs, computers and mobile.”
This test will include two new games — Oxenfree from Night School Studio, a Netflix Game Studio, and Molehew’s Mining Adventure, a gem-mining arcade game, according to the press release.
To play the games available on TV, players will use their phone as a controller, the release said. For those that will be played on PCs and Macs, the games can be played on Netflix.com with a keyboard and mouse.
The games will be available on select devices from Netflix’s initial partners, including Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN, per the release.
Netflix is also planning on adding additional devices, according to the release. The limited beta will test Netflix’s game streaming technology and controller.
“By making games available on more devices, we hope to make games even easier to play for our members around the world,” Verdu said. “While we’re still very early in our games journey, we’re excited to bring joy to members with games.”
Netflix has kept the progress of its video gaming efforts close to the vest as it tests what flies and how it can add new subscribers via gaming. The firm has positioned games as an inducement to sign up for the streaming service, using them as a brand builder rather than looking for ways to monetize the games themselves.
The company’s gaming venture is part of a broader reinvention that also included the launch of an ad-supported version of its service.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More