Netflix Goes All-In on Games? Hold My Streaming Subscription...
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Netflix plans to invest more in video games to boost user retention, but it's unclear whether this will lead to anything beyond mobile games and licensed tie-ins. Are they serious about gaming, or just trying to stop people from cancelling their subscriptions?
So, Netflix reckons they're going to "ramp up" their video game efforts, according to a recent earnings call reported by Insider Gaming. Right, okay. We've seen this movie before, haven't we? Remember when everyone was convinced VR was going to be the next big thing? (Spoiler: it's still niche, albeit a cool niche). But let's not be *completely* cynical, yeah?
Netflix has been dabbling in games for a while now with "Netflix Games," which, let's be honest, has been a bit of a mixed bag. We're talking mobile games, some licensed stuff based on their shows (Stranger Things, Squid Game – you know the drill), and the odd indie gem like *Moonlighter*. They even had the *GTA Trilogy* for a bit, which is a bloody big deal.
But are they seriously thinking about becoming a major player in the gaming world? Well, their co-CEO Gregory K. Peters seems to think the gaming division is a "positive factor" and that upping their investment will boost user retention. (Translation: "We need to stop people from cancelling their subscriptions!"). He even called their investment so far "small" compared to everything else. Fair play, Gregory. Fair play.
It’s worth noting that Netflix has been pushing licensed games based on its popular franchises, which is a clever move. Capitalise on what people already like! And, of course, they're doing game adaptations too, like that *Assassin's Creed* live-action series (which... could be interesting, or a complete train wreck. No in-between, reckon?).
Now, this "ramping up" follows some behind-the-scenes shake-ups. Netflix Games VP Mike Verdu, a key figure in their gaming push, left in March. Meanwhile, Alain Tascan, an ex-Ubisoft and EA exec, took over as president last year. Plus, they culled some games from the service, including popular ones like *Hades* and *Monument Valley*. (Ouch. That's like pulling Excalibur from the stone and then tossing it in a lake).
So, what does this all *mean*? Are we going to see Netflix rival Steam or the Xbox Game Pass? Probably not. But could they become a significant player in the mobile gaming space? Maybe. Perhaps we'll see Netflix exclusives – imagine a *Stranger Things* RPG with actual depth, or a *Squid Game* battle royale (okay, maybe not that last one). The possibilities are there.
Ultimately, whether this "ramping up" leads to something truly exciting or just more forgettable mobile games remains to be seen. I’m cautiously optimistic. Netflix has the money, the audience, and the IPs. Now they just need to figure out the games. And, perhaps, ditch the heavy-handed corporate speak, yeah? We can smell that a mile off.
Credit: Game Rant
Tags: Netflix, Video Games, Streaming, Mobile Gaming, Gaming Industry
Original article: Game Rant