It was a surprise to everyone when Netflix silently offered a game controller app for download on the App Store last week. But now, we also know the purpose of this application. The company has announced a limited beta testing of its cloud gaming service for a small number of members in Canada and the UK. Subscribers invited to join will be able to stream games via Netflix.com in supported browsers to select TVs as well as PCs and Macs.
“Since 2021, when we added mobile games to Netflix, we’ve been focused on creating a great gaming experience for our members,” said Mike Verdu, Netflix’s VP of Gaming. Our goal has always been to have a game for everyone and we are working hard to meet members where they are with an accessible, seamless and ubiquitous service. “Today, we’re taking the first step to make the games playable on every device our members use Netflix on, on TVs, computers and mobile devices.”
The beta test initially includes two games, the graphic adventure game Oxenfree and the stone mining arcade game Molehew’s Mining Adventure. Beta testers who want to play games on TV must download the Netflix Game Controller application. If you’re playing in a browser on PC or Mac, you can also use a keyboard and mouse.
Netflix aims to test its game streaming technology and game controller app before rolling out the service to a wider audience. Mobile game streaming is initially limited to only listed TVs: Amazon Fire TV Media Players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs and Walmart ONN. Because Netflix is constantly adding more devices to this list, if you don’t see your TV in the list, it’s a good idea to check it out later.
While it is debatable how effective Netflix can be in an extremely competitive and well-established market like the gaming industry, it can be safely said that it is exciting that the company is trying to gain a foothold in this field. It is clear that the cloud gaming industry has great potential, but previous attempts such as Google Stadia have not had significant success. Netflix currently doesn’t have a huge gaming presence, but its growing list of remarkable free mobile games allows users to quickly play a few episodes between episodes.
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