Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

Netflix says the cloud will let it expand beyond mobile games

It’s likely pretty far off, however.

www.theverge.com

As Netflix’s foray into cloud gaming expands, so, too, will the kinds of games the company offers. “We feel like there is a real big opportunity with cloud to create a certain type of game experience that really is tailored to Netflix on TV,” says Leanne Loombe, Netflix’s head of external games.

Netflix’s cloud gaming efforts are still very early and follow nearly two years of releasing games exclusively on mobile. Right now, only two titles are available as part of a cloud beta test on TVs and PCs, including Oxenfree. But as the service grows to include more titles, Netflix says that the kinds of games offered will differ based on platform — meaning there will eventually be titles on Netflix designed to play only on your television or PC and not a smartphone. No specifics were announced but think console-style games that don’t translate well to a touchscreen.

“Changing based on platform will absolutely happen when we start to expand out the cloud service into more regions and bring more games,” explains Loombe. “Those games will be different creatively to the mobile games that we’re making. Sometimes the games we launch on Netflix will be across mobile and TV and PC through the cloud. And sometimes there’ll be a cloud game that’s playable on TV and it will be really tailored to that experience.”

Once there are platform-specific games on the service, Loombe says that Netflix will be able to utilize its algorithm to ensure that it’s presenting players with games they can actually play — so you won’t get recommended a PC game if you don’t have the hardware, for instance. “I think that’s going to really help from a discoverability perspective, because everybody’s experience is then tailored and we don’t have to worry too much about trying to explain every single detail around which games are where and what platform you can play on,” she says. “Because it really is the personalization system that will help with that.”

Despite the cloud push, Netflix hasn’t slowed down its efforts in the mobile gaming space. At its Geeked Week event this past weekend, the company announced a number of titles, including the mobile debut of indie darling Hades. Previous reports have suggested that despite these efforts, not many Netflix users are actually playing the games being offered as part of their subscription. The company hasn’t shared any specific numbers in terms of users, but Loombe says that Netflix is satisfied with its progress in games over the last two years.

“Based on where we’re at, we’re very, very happy with how many members are playing games today,” she says. “That scale and that investment is relative to the amount of members playing. So, as with any new business, as we continue to scale over time, we expect more members to play over time as well. And the trajectory that we’re seeing is something that we’re very happy about.”

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Instead of trying to be the next Stadia, just act like a normal 3rd party publisher and put your games on Steam and other platforms where it makes sense and then go from there.

 

[Punished Miku]

Just act like a normal 3rd party publisher and put your games on Steam and other platforms where it makes sense and then go from there imo.

I think the whole point is to put it on their sub instead. It's not like it's a pointless goal. They have 200 million+ subs. They have the technology. Literally all they have to do is just release it, and figure out what they think will appeal to their audience and it instantly hits an audience quadruple what PS+ has.

Only real issue is just finding an easy way to get a controller in the hands of people. My guess is probably using your phone.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Platform specific games sounds like a nightmare of headaches for whoever is in charge of this. Good luck.

Got dozens of these Netflix games on my iPhone.
Some are decent. Playing Mahjong with a Stranger Things Skin, music and sounds is stupid addicting.
Oxenfree 2 has been nice on my phone.

 

[Wooxsvan]

seems to be the best way lately to flush money down the drain. enjoy.