Netflix is looking to expand into cloud gaming
Since venturing into the gaming market, Netflix has stuck purely to mobile titles. Now, the streaming service is looking to shake things up by exploring the possibility of creating a new cloud gaming platform.
As reported byProtocol, Mike Verdu, Netflix’s VP of game development, mentioned this new venture at TechCrunch Disrupt, stating: “We’re very seriously exploring a cloud gaming offering.
“We’ll approach this the same way as we did with mobile — start small, be humble, be thoughtful — but it is a step we think we should take to meet members where they are on the devices where they consume Netflix.”
Verdu didn’t specify what devices the new service will be on, but Netflix is available on TVs, PCs and consoles. This would pit the streaming giant against other cloud services such asGeForce NowandXbox Cloud Gaming.
As for hardware, Verdu did not confirm whether a dedicated controller would be created for the new service. Fortunately, he did say that customers wouldn’t have to rely on TV remotes, which would certainly make the gaming experience a lot more clunky.
It’s an interesting time to announce this venture, considering that Google is disbanding Stadia cloud gaming after a lack of uptake from customers. Nonetheless, Netflix seems to believe that there is a gap in the market.
This news follows Netflix announcing55 new titlesfor its mobile gaming service, and a strong third financial quarter – welcome news considering the downward trend of subscribers earlier this year. This has no doubt been bolstered by the release ofStranger Thingsseason 4.
You can also read up onNetflix’s new ad-supported tier, which is due for release next month.
Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She’s also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she’s written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.
