Netflix has now confirmed that the company is looking to expand its streaming offering from movies and series to gaming. During its second-quarter earnings report (via CNET), Netflix said that gaming is "another new content category," similar to its expansion into original films and animation.
Netflix plantto focus primarily on games designed for mobile devices, with the games offered being made available free to paying subscribers. Netflix explained that it wants to learn how subscribers "value games."
Netflix: Focus is on games for mobile devices
We see games as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation and unscripted television. Games will be included in members' Netflix subscriptions at no additional cost, similar to films and series. To start, we will focus primarily on games for mobile devices. We remain excited about our film and TV series offering and expect a long road ahead with increased investment and growth across all of our existing content categories, but as we've been moving into original programming for nearly a decade, we think it's time to learn more about how our members value games.
By launching a mobile gaming service, Netflix will compete directly with Apple Arcade, Apple's expensive €4.99 per month service that allows users to access hundreds of ad-free games on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
Gaming: How exactly will Netflix deliver its gaming offering?
Netflix's interest in games was highlighted by The Information earlier this year and confirmed by Bloomberg last week. Netflix recently hired former Electronic Arts executive Mike Verdu as president of game development to lead Netflix's games division. It's not yet known when the expansion will roll out, nor is it clear how exactly the service plans to offer it. After all, Apple doesn't allow alternative app store options on the iPhone, so Netflix will have to release the games gradually or use a browser-based solution. (Photo by Unsplash / Thibault Penin)
