The last couple of weeks have been ignited by the news that streaming serviceNetflixis joining the game streaming world. The most intriguing of those rumors appeared to suggest thatNetflix was set to partner with PlayStationfor game streaming. While it would seem that Netflix won’t be competing against the likes of xCloud and Google Stadia, it still intends to have some influence in the gaming industry. Recently, the company announced plans to offer smartphone games as part of its existing subscription.
RELATED:Netflix is Planning to Add Video Games to Service
During a company call on Tuesday, Chief Product Officer Greg Peters stated that “the success of this initiative is about great games, fundamentally.” He also noted that games provide intentionality for players, and acknowledged that the company will “learn and grow and refocus our investment based on what we see is working.” This level of freedom in decision-making will serve as a guide forNetflixin making better games and creative decisions.
This presents an interesting premise. Essentially, if a character in aNetflix-owned serieswas heavily used in gaming or was otherwise popular, there would be the chance of said character being featured more prominently in the future. In one such case, Peters suggested that a Netflix-based game could even potentially spawn a film or a series. While the company will still license some games, its goal seems to be eventually seeking to utilize its own intellectual property as a key differentiating factor among its rivals.
It’s pretty interesting to see the company make its first foray into the game streaming world. Netflix originally built its service by licensing TV shows and movies, and it’s doing a lot of the same for its games. Of course,Netflix gamingwon’t become a major force any time soon, though founder and co-chief executive office Reed Hastings has hopes that what once worked for video streaming will work for game streaming. Only time will tell, though for now, any rumors of a powerhouse crossover between Netflix and PlayStation can be put to rest.
