Just like Netflix attracted viewership by venturing into documentaries and stand up specials, it seems like gaming subscription appears to be their latest addition to the variety of content they offer to attract a larger and more loyal demographic of users.
Netflix has realised the importance of including gaming as an essential genre content. Interested in creating something like Apple Arcade, Netflix gaming content will most likely be available towards the end of 2022. They hired Mike Verdu, former VP of Oculus, to head the project as his experienced self might bring various positive changes to the streaming giants plan of action.
With their primary focus on mobile gaming, the streaming giant is looking towards world domination where they hope to assert their dominance by serving all kinds of content to attract a spike in revenue.
“We’re excited as ever about our movies and TV series offering, and we expect a long runway of increasing investment and growth across all of our existing content categories,” they said, “But since we are nearly a decade into our push into original programming, we think the time is right to learn more about how our members value games.”
Here is everything we need to know about the streaming giant’s recent and strategic move into the realm of gaming:
Everything we know about Netflix gaming:
When will the gaming content be available?
Reported in May 2021, the plans for development were allegedly “very much in flux”, which means that the outline of the product is ready, but the action is yet to commence.
Serving games from both giant corporations and indie developers, Netflix gaming content shall most likely feature on the platform by the end of 2022.
Why is Netflix suddenly venturing into the world of gaming?
Despite the pandemic affecting the world and pushing people into the confinement of their homes, Netflix’s subscriber rate has gone down by 11%, which is pretty surprising considering how hooked viewers tend to get on to the shows. With the popularity of gaming videos on Youtube and Twitch, Netflix has realised the importance of gaming as means to attract the demographic of gamers that shall yield a lot of results.
Venturing into gaming would definitely give Netflix an edge over its competitive giants like Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu etc. Games like Fortnite have definitely managed to cause a dip in Netflix viewership as people are more involved in playing the online multiplayer game rather than investing time in watching films or series.
What games will be available on Netflix?
Although Netflix has never included games on its platform, they have definitely collaborated with game developers to get used to the sets of Stranger Things. With films such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch being interactive gameplaying films, the thin line between films and games remain blurred. That being said, it is most likely that Netflix shall look forward to making more such interactive game films.
Besides games made from big corporations, indie games are most likely to feature on the platform. Netflix said that their initial focus would be on mobile phone gaming, where games would feature as an additional category on mobile phones.
Will these games be available for free?
Netflix will most likely not charge extra for the gaming content to feature on their platform. Video and gaming content shall be included in the subscription fee. This is the most common marketing tactic employed by most services to attract a customer base.
Once they gain trust, they usually start looking towards profits and starting to charge separately for additional features. While Netflix will definitely provide gaming content for free, in the future, it is highly possible for the streaming platform to make some of the content chargeable.
