Netflix Launches Cloud Gaming Beta on TVs
- Laurent Giret
- Aug 14, 2023
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Netflix is launching a new cloud gaming service in limited beta today. A small number of Netflix subscribers in Canada and the UK can now try playing 2 games on their TV with their smartphone acting as a controller.
“This limited beta is meant to test our game streaming technology and controller, and to improve the member experience over time,” said Mike Verdu, VP of Games at Netflix. “Games on TV will operate on select devices from our initial partners including: Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN.”
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Currently, only two games are available for beta testers: The indie adventure game Oxenfree and Molehew’s Mining Adventure, a gem-mining arcade game. To play these games with their smartphones, beta testers can use the Netflix app on Android which will work as a controller, while iOS users will need to download a separate controller app from Netflix.
If Netflix has been offering access to a selection of mobile games since 2021, the company’s cloud gaming technology will allow the company to bring its games to more screens. However, if using the smartphones that Netflix users already own as controllers does seem like a good way to get people on board, the company will need more than that to show that it’s taking cloud gaming seriously. Amazon has its own Luna controller that connects directly to the company’s servers to reduce latency, and Google also created its own controller for its now-discontinued Stadia service.
In the coming weeks, Netflix plans to expand its cloud gaming beta test to more TV partners. Moreover, PC and Mac users will also be able to play Netflix games via their web browsers. On these devices, games will be playable with a keyboard and mouse, which should be more convenient than using a smartphone as a controller. “We look forward to hearing feedback from our beta testers and sharing more as we continue on the road ahead,” Verdu said today.