Adam Kos We recently informed you that Netflix is working on its own gaming platform. However, no further information was known at that time. However, the company has now confirmed that it really intends to enter the gaming market. And maybe it will mean that Apple Arcade can start to worry.
As reported by the magazine The Verge, Netflix revealed details about its gaming platform in a letter to its investors on Tuesday as part of this year's second quarter earnings report. The company says here that while it's still "in the early stages of its expansion into the gaming segment," it sees gaming as the next category of content for the company. Importantly, its initial efforts will be focused on content for mobile devices, which could make it a potential competitor to the Apple Arcade platform (which runs on the Mac and Apple TV).
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Unique pricing
Although Netflix's games will initially be designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, the company does not rule out expanding to consoles in the future. Another interesting detail of Netflix's gaming platform is that it will be offered to every subscriber of the streaming service at no additional cost. Yes, if you're a Netflix subscriber, you'll also have paid for its game streaming service.
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Netflix hasn't mentioned how it will distribute the games to users, but including them in the main app currently used to consume movies and TV shows doesn't seem very realistic due to Apple's strict rules. This is because it still prohibits applications from the App Store from functioning as an alternative store for applications and games. However, running in Safari should be fine.
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Vratislav Holub A possible way
The composition of the games is also an issue. We have Black Mirror Bandersnatch (an interactive movie from 2018) and Stranger Things: The Game, which are based on popular series of the platform. We also know that Netflix hired game developer Mike Verda, who worked at Zynga and Electronic Arts. Everything seems to point to the fact that Netflix will want to build its own portfolio of games, to which it may add others from independent developers.
A form of Microsoft xCloud
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Most likely, it will not be a model of Google Stadia and Microsoft xCloud, but rather similar to Apple Arcade. Sure, Apple won't officially release Netflix games on iOS. But if it's simple titles that you'll be able to play on the web, it won't really matter. Then there is also the question of whether Netflix won't be able to get around the rules by distributing more games, but if the player doesn't pay for them, it won't really be a business. All titles would then be launched from one place, without the need for installation, just after logging into the title.
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Time has advanced considerably
And that is exactly what I alluded to some time ago in a comment on Jablíčkář. Apple Arcade pays extra for the need to install individual titles. However, if he provided the option to stream them, it would take the platform to a whole other level. But then the question is whether Apple would not be forced to make a concession to others, because otherwise it could be favoring its service over the competition and a potential monopoly dispute.
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Apple has clear rules that everyone has to follow willy-nilly. And it's right that anyone can't do whatever they want within his platform. But time has moved on. It's not 2008 anymore, it's 2021, and I personally think that a lot should change. I'm not saying I want an open platform, by no means, but why stop services streaming games to devices is beyond me.
I absolutely agree. I don't want an open platform, but Apple shouldn't block services just because they don't like them.