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Netflix is mulling an expansion into online gaming that could end up being similar to Apple's digital subscription offering, Apple Arcade, according to multiple reports.

Netflix-16x9.jpg

News of the plans began trickling out on Friday when The Information reported that Netflix had approached veteran game industry executives about joining the company.
Netflix is looking to hire an executive to oversee an expansion into videogames, a sign it is stepping up its efforts to grow beyond traditional filmed entertainment, according to people familiar with the situation.

[...]

One option the company has discussed is offering a bundle of games similar to Apple's online subscription offering, Apple Arcade, one of the people said.
The planned hire, since corroborated by Reuters' sources, signifies part of a wider push into gaming that is said to have been prompted by a desire to find new ways to attract subscribers after the company's slowed growth in the U.S. market.

According to The Information, Netflix's plans are still "very much in flux," although it has reportedly decided not to include ads in the games, which suggests an upcoming service that would be offered to subscribers as an extra bundle.

Since the initial report, an Axios source has said to think of the service as "a smaller Apple Arcade" bundle that would consist of a mix of licensed Netflix intellectual property and original work commissioned from independent studios.

The move follows previous dips into gaming by the company, such as its ill-fated partnership with Telltale Games to create a game based on "Stranger Things," which was never released, and its choose-your-adventure style film "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch," which proved a hit.

Netflix already offers several shows based on popular video games, such as "The Witcher" and "Resident Evil," so it could be looking at leveraging this lucrative IP and offering new titles that could even produce spin-off shows further down the line.

Asked from comment on the latest reports, Netflix didn't deny the planned gaming exec hire and told Axios and The Information that it's "excited to do more with interactive entertainment."

Whatever the outcome, Netflix's gaming service is said to be some way off, with Axios' sources suggesting a possible launch in 2022, although plans are subject to change.

As if to underline the fluid nature of the plans, The Information reported that Netflix hasn't ruled out other potential approaches, including the possibility of making games in-house or getting the games to run on smart TVs.

Article Link: Netflix Considering Move into Gaming With Apple Arcade-Style Bundle
 

RedTheReader

macrumors 6502a
Nov 18, 2019
531
1,311
I get the feeling that people are less inclined to rent games than they are to rent movies and TV. Maybe it’s because they have replay-ability, or maybe because it’s more the norm to buy them outright so people really notice that they’re renting. Whatever it is, it makes me skeptical that a “Netflix of Gaming” could be as successful as Netflix. Of course, Xbox GamePass has been doing excellent and has been well received by gamers, so maybe I’m dead wrong about all this. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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mihirdelirious

macrumors member
Mar 15, 2021
88
559
The App Store is being forced open and big developers are preparing to enter new categories without having to pay the 30% toll. I have a feeling that Epic will win something in the lawsuit. Even a minor win for Epic would be a major economic blow for Apple. And don't forget the negative publicity Apple has received over the past few weeks.
 

Mac4Mat

Suspended
May 12, 2021
168
466
In my opinion Apple made a mistake going with Apple TV as a standalone having to build content from scratch, when it should have bought Netflix and have decent ready made content and customer base from which to grow it.

Apple TV is now one amongst many and still not much content.

They could extend to a gaming platform too, so that any adverse judgement on apps could easily be made up for by extending what Apple could do.
 
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diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,405
2,638
OBX
I get the feeling that people are less inclined to rent games than they are to rent movies and TV. Maybe it’s because they have replay-ability, or maybe because it’s more the norm to buy them outright so people really notice that they’re renting. Whatever it is, it makes me skeptical that a “Netflix of Gaming” could be as successful as Netflix. Of course, Xbox GamePass has been doing excellent and has been well received by gamers, so maybe I’m dead wrong about all this. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gamefly isn't as popular anymore but they could replicate (buy) that (foot in door and all that). Then move towards making their own "PC" games.
 

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,611
6,147
If someone wants to revolutionize games (and video too, while they’re at it), find a way to make it hundreds of times easier to produce assets.

Also, we need dramatic improvements in Quality Assurance and Testing.

AI is probably the answer to both.
 
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asiga

macrumors 65816
Nov 4, 2012
1,056
1,376
Back in the 80s, great games came when you had a great idea, no matter if you were alone and with no resources. Nowadays, games come from shareholders investing where they consider there's an opportunity, with the motto "the more you invest, the more AAA... in the game".
 
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syklee26

macrumors 6502a
Jul 26, 2005
949
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If it is included in the current subscription without additional fee, then why not?
 

User 6502

macrumors 65816
Mar 6, 2014
1,155
4,313
The App Store is being forced open and big developers are preparing to enter new categories without having to pay the 30% toll. I have a feeling that Epic will win something in the lawsuit. Even a minor win for Epic would be a major economic blow for Apple. And don't forget the negative publicity Apple has received over the past few weeks.
Negative publicity that was well deserved. We will have to thank Epic for years to come to break or at least limit Apple’s anticompetitive and anti consumer behaviour.
 

Armada2

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2011
257
1,132
I guess it has to happen as Netflix needs to create extra income as Disney etc take away their IP films to put on their own services only.

Can't wait to see Epic start suing Neflix 🤣🤣
 
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Spock

macrumors 68040
Jan 6, 2002
3,522
7,565
Vulcan
With Netflix raising prices just as fast as they are losing content, they must feel some pressure to add more value to the brand. They can’t even offer 4K streaming without charging extra for it while other services offer it at no additional cost and an overall cheaper monthly price, HBO Max for example. And the original content they have been releasing is hit or miss.
 
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