Netflix announced it began rolling out video games on the organization’s mobile app starting on November 3rd. The video streaming service revealed that games will first be introduced to Android devices, “with iOS on the way.”
Individuals will be able to play five games: Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Card Blast, and Teeter Up. Users can download these games from the Google Play Store with a Netflix subscription. Additionally, these games were introduced to the mobile app on November 3rd.
Netflix has been testing mobile gaming features for some time. Prior to this announcement, the company’s gaming service was available in Poland, Spain, and Italy.
The Profit‘s Take:
Well, there aren’t going to be in-app purchases for these games, so it’s looking like this is more akin to Apple Arcade’s offering. I don’t think there are very high expectations here for Netflix. These games are freebies that come included with your subscription. It’s possible that this type of offer will get people to be Netflix subscribers for a little bit longer than they initially intended. This is no different than them acquiring a new show to me. They go out, acquire content, and hope users continue to see value in their Netflix subscription. This gaming approach basically follows that same model. I love that they are following their exact, pre-existing business model. It’s not very exciting, but this was by far the most obvious path they could have taken: buy games, include them with the subscription, and hope you get more subscribers. As long as they keep adding users, Netflix will be happy. At some point, Netflix will wonder how they can better monetize their subscribers, but I don’t think they’re there yet. There’s not a lot of motivation for them to do anything radical or drastic. They’re coasting right now. The only thing they have to worry about is maintaining subscribers. One day, their ship will be burning, but when there’s no pain, there’s no reason to innovate. Netflix should innovate, but they don’t HAVE to.
(All information was provided by The Verge)
Never underestimate Netflix. I worked there in the early days and was constantly amazed at their approach to new business. We tested everything. We even investigated offering to rent game discs, which wasn’t a good business for Netflix.
Agreed! Excited to see how they push into the space over the next few years!