Netflix Games for Android was recently launched. An iOS version was also announced. Now there are new details about the implementation.
Netflix officially expanded its subscription on November 3rd and added a gaming section for Android users added. Although it could be only a matter of months before the same offering is brought to iOS, it is almost certain that Netflix will not be able to offer the feature in the same way due to Apple's App Store rules. Now, Mark Gurman reports in the latest output of its "Power On" newsletter that Netflix will publish all games as part of the initiative through the App Store. The games can then be launched via the Netflix app, but cannot be downloaded and played within the app. This means that they will be installed as individual apps on the device. Accordingly, it will not be a streaming-based solution.
Netflix Games: Success on iOS is in Apple's hands
Apple App Store rules prevent apps from becoming third-party app stores, which the Netflix app could become if it integrates game downloads into the app itself. Gurman says this method is a solution for iOS, but "not one that puts the Netflix gaming service in the best position to succeed" because consumers "tend to prefer all-in-one services." To get around the restriction, Netflix would have to "move to the cloud" and Apple would have to either change its rules or grant Netflix an exemption, he continued. So Gurman concludes:
This puts the success of the Netflix service in the hands of Apple, a long-standing partner but also a growing competitor.
Since Netflix Games is relatively small and only offers a handful of games from the start, it will take some time until the offering is large enough to compete with Apple Arcade. Either way, the further development should remain quite exciting. (Photo by Denys Prykhodov / Bigstockphoto)
