Netflix is venturing boldly into a new realm. No longer confined to the cinematic universes of TV series and films, the streaming giant is dipping its toes into cloud gaming, piloting its first set of public tests and promising to change the entertainment landscape once more.
Starting this week, a fortunate few in Canada and the UK will be treated to Netflix’s cloud-streamed games.
As Mike Verdu, Netflix’s Vice President of Games, highlighted in a blog post, this is a “limited beta test.” Not all Netflix aficionados in these regions will access it immediately, but this remains a potential game-changer if done right.
Though it began its gaming journey back in November 2021 with offerings for mobile users, the platform’s scope was, up until now, limited to iOS and Android devices. However, as the service embarks on its new cloud streaming venture, games are expanding beyond the confines of mobile devices and into our living rooms and offices, available directly on TVs and web browsers.
It’s a promising leap, hinting at Netflix’s plans to rival major players in the gaming realm, positioning itself alongside, if not against, gaming stalwarts on TV and PC platforms.
For those keen to experience the initial set of offerings, two games are available: Oxenfree, by Night School Studio, now owned by Netflix, and Molehew’s Mining Adventure, which Verdu intriguingly describes as a “gem-mining arcade game.”
A myriad of devices have been greenlit to support these gaming endeavors, including Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices, Samsung Smart TVs, and even Walmart’s Onn. And if Verdu’s promise holds water, this list is only set to expand “on an ongoing basis”.
Yet, like any pioneer in uncharted territory, there might be a few hitches. As we’ve grown accustomed to seamless video streaming from Netflix, it remains to be seen how the platform handles the demanding intricacies of game streaming. A hiccup during a Stranger Things binge might be forgivable, but in a gaming scenario? It’s a completely different beast. But as sources suggest, Netflix is taking a measured approach, willing to learn, adapt, and enhance the user experience over time.
Moreover, while rival endeavors like Google’s Stadia met an untimely end, Netflix seems more aligned with Microsoft’s perspective, viewing cloud gaming as a complementary addition rather than the main event.
If any hiccups arise, Netflix’s vast mobile gaming library, boasting over 70 titles, stands as a reliable fallback.
The waters of game streaming might be murky and fraught with challenges, yet Netflix’s cautious approach, reminiscent of its initial foray into streaming, speaks volumes. Instead of launching with the pomp and fanfare that marked Google’s ill-fated Stadia, Netflix opts for a soft, calculated entry, perhaps learning from past industry missteps.
It’s worth noting that Netflix isn’t solely relying on existing titles for this endeavor. The reports suggest an investment in original content, with a new game development studio taking shape in California.
With industry heavyweights like Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny and Halo veteran Joseph Staten onboard, the intent and seriousness are clear.
