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Netflix Launches New Controller App for iPhone in Preparation for TV Game Expansion
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Interesting change. Looking forward to seeing the game catalog expand
Not the original commenter, but to be honest that makes Netflix's numbers look even more impressive.
Netflix still has more subscribers than all of Disney's streaming services combined despite the bad PR they've been getting recently and the regular price hikes. Not to mention Disney being the behemoth that it is.
On topic: expanding to game streaming makes a lot of sense. I'm not surprised at all. But I wonder if that means more price hikes because Netflix is slowly but surely getting too pricey. They need to really make the subscription worth it.
Just an FYI, Apple already demonstrated Apple Arcade in the Vision Pro announcement video.
The only gameplay is from the NBA game played with a PS5 controller.
However, there was also a second or two where they teased more Apple Arcade titles like "Game Room" and "Super Fruit Ninja." The latter doesn't exist anywhere else and has the tag line "Fruit power in your hands" (emphasis mine) implying it's an Apple Arcade exclusive and likely a VR version of the game.
Fruit Ninja VR exists, but not Super Fruit Ninja. Can't wait to see how it actually looks like.
TL;DR: there's definitely can be Arcade titles for Vision.
Edit: Link to video below (starts at 1:57). Also, I checked and "Game Room" doesn't exist either so both apps are totally new.
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I currently have both subscriptions and Apple Arcade’s selection is far better.
And this controller app looks terrible. At least put the ABXY buttons in the correct order (I hate this about the MFI, Xbox, and Stadia controllers too).
I don't think they can. I think Nintendo has a patent on the ABXY location (order?) on game pads. If I remember my history it is one of the reasons why Sony uses shapes (EDIT: which they smartly turned into a brand of Playstation).
So far the only Netflix games I find interesting are OXENFREE 1 and 2.
Not worth it for gaming. And after the price hike, not worth it for video either.
Not worth it for gaming. And after the price hike, not worth it for video either.
Netflix does have the iOS rights for Kentucky Route Zero, Spiritfarer, Into the Breach, which are very solid titles.
I don't think any Netflix subscription just for the games is worth it - it's a nice supplement that could have some potential. Though I'm sure since it's Netflix, there's a negative factor involved that I'm just not seeing
No they don’t, otherwise 8bitdo and other unlicensed Switch controller manufacturers would not be able to use the layout. And merely swapping the letters around would probably not be enough if there actually was a patent or trademark.
Sony was originally going to use the same ABXY layout as Nintendo. The designer of the shapes really had to push for Sony to accept his idea. Unfortunately Sony America then ruined it by making ❌ the confirm button while it was intended to be ⭕️.
…but why?
If your TV is smart enough to run Netflix it can probably pair with a Bluetooth controller with actual buttons
If your TV is smart enough to run Netflix it can probably pair with a Bluetooth controller with actual buttons
I assume it's a mixture of ease of use and latency.
Ease of use: almost everyone has a phone that they can use as a controller
Latency: a phone can connect directly to Netflix's server to act as a controller.
A bluetooth controller would have to connect to your phone or TV, and then that device will have to relay your input. Increasing input latency. Should still be possible so I imagine Netflix will probably allow controllers too?
Stadia solved this by having a dedicated controller that connected directly to the Internet. "While Stadia could use any HID-class USB controller, Google developed its own controller, which connected via the user's Wi-Fi directly to the Google data center in which the game was running, to reduce input latency" (from Wikipedia).
Maybe it was the directional pad that was special (notice how in the "olden days" everyone's directional pad was different looking). The Super Famicom button color/orientation is Trademarked though. Interestingly Nintendo didn't include the button labels in their SNES/SF controller patent, though Sony did.
I found an old Gizmodo article that made it seem like Sony management wanted the shape of the controller to be more like Nintendo's, not sure if the face shapes were a problem (ignoring the color coding of them for a second).
Yeah the latency angle is interesting but I’m not so sure that a phone is gonna make for a great experience
I totally agree the average person is more likely to have a phone than a wireless controller but if someone is interested in games they’re probably willing to invest in a $30 controller to have a proper experience