Netflix streams video games. Key details you should know

Netflix is starting its first public tests of cloud-streamed games, marking a significant step forward in its gaming endeavors. Starting Monday, a select group of Netflix subscribers in Canada and the UK will have the opportunity to try out games streamed directly from Netflix.com to compatible TVs and connected TV devices, according to a report.

Mike Verdu, Netflix's VP of games, referred to this as a "limited beta test," aimed at a small subset of members, meaning not all subscribers in these regions will gain immediate access. Nevertheless, this move represents a momentous development for Netflix's gaming aspirations, as per a report in The Verge.

Initially introduced in November 2021, Netflix's mobile gaming offerings were offered as an added benefit for subscribers, confined to iOS and Android platforms. By introducing cloud-streamed games for TVs and web browsers, subscribers could potentially access Netflix's games across a broader range of devices, opening up the possibility for Netflix to contend for gaming engagement on television and PC platforms.


The current lineup consists of two games: the original Oxenfree from Night School Studio, a company now owned by Netflix, and a fresh title named Molehew's Mining Adventure, described by Verdu as a "gem-mining arcade game."

When playing on a TV, game control will be facilitated through a smartphone. For Android users, the controller will be accessible via the Netflix app, while iOS users will need to download a dedicated controller app – the same app that mysteriously appeared on the App Store recently, according to Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher. Players accessing the games through web browsers will utilize a mouse and keyboard for control.

The following TVs and connected TV devices are currently compatible with Netflix's games:

- Amazon Fire TV streaming media players
- Chromecast with Google TV
- LG TVs
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Roku devices and TVs
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Walmart Onn

While this initial rollout is modest, it signals a potentially transformative shift for Netflix's role in the gaming landscape.

FAQs

Q1. What do we know about Netflix's mobile gaming?
A1. Initially introduced in November 2021, Netflix's mobile gaming offerings were offered as an added benefit for subscribers, confined to iOS and Android platforms.

Q2. Can Netflix's mobile gaming be played on TV?
A2. When playing on a TV, game control will be facilitated through a smartphone. For Android users, the controller will be accessible via the Netflix app, while iOS users will need to download a dedicated controller app.