Technology

From Mobile to Big Screen: Netflix Expands Gaming to TVs and PCs

Netflix is broadening the horizons of its gaming offerings, expanding the range of supported devices for enhanced accessibility. Previously, the company’s diverse game collection was exclusively available on iOS and Android platforms. Now, Netflix is harnessing its streaming technology to kickstart public testing of its gaming library on televisions and computers.

Mike Verdu, Vice President of Games at Netflix, expressed the company’s commitment to inclusivity:

“Our aim has always been to offer gaming experiences for everyone, and we are diligently working to reach our members wherever they are with a seamless and universally accessible service. Today marks the initial stride in making games playable on all devices where our Netflix members indulge.”

The ongoing testing phase is currently somewhat limited. Initially, the selection includes two games: “Oxenfree” (recently accompanied by its sequel, marking Netflix’s foray into in-house game development) and the engaging gem-mining arcade game named “Molehew’s Mining Adventure.”

The beta stage is presently accessible solely to a select group of Netflix subscribers located in Canada and the United Kingdom. It is supported exclusively on certain devices, 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 products.

Further device support will be incorporated in subsequent phases. Netflix’s newly introduced controller app can also transform phones into gamepads for the TV. Upon selecting a game on the TV, users are provided with a QR code for using their phones as controllers.

In the coming weeks, the gaming exploration option will expand to Netflix’s website, accessible through compatible desktop browsers. This enhancement empowers users to employ their keyboards and mice to engage in gaming activities on both Windows and MacOS systems.