Netflix looks to join the online gaming service wars

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Netflix preps for online gaming battle with Apple and Google

Netflix Gaming
(Image credit: Netflix)

According to multiple reports, Netflix is looking into creating a presence in online gaming that will compete against Apple Arcade, Google Stadia, and others. First reported by The Information on May 21st, Netflix has been actively searching for the right executive to oversee an expansion into video games. Several industry sources have said that Netflix is seeking an experienced game industry executive to head up the project for the media company. 

One of the company's options is bundling games together like Apple has chosen to do with its Apple Arcade. One of the reasons for Netflix's interest in gaming is possibly the slow subscriber growth it experienced in the U.S. market leading to the company seeking alternatives to the current slate of award-winning media content. 

According to a report in Axios, the new online gaming service would be a smaller version of Apple Arcade and feature a mix of licensed Netflix intellectual properties and some work commissioned from independent game studios.  When you look at this move, it makes absolute sense that Netlfix had several shows on its platform based on video games like The Witcher and Resident Evil. That way, the company can leverage those titles into new games and even spin-off shows for the platform.

We must remind you that Netflix has tried some gaming with mixed results. There was the ill-fated Strange Things partnership with Telltale games that never came to be, and of course, the choose -your-own-adventure style film Black Mirror Bandersnatch, which was a hit. 

Netflix is still very early into the process and is trying to figure out exactly how they wish to pull this move off, and I guess finding a gaming veteran with some success in the past should be the company's first move. 

Mark Anthony Ramirez
Mark Anthony Ramirez

Mark has spent 20 years headlining comedy shows around the country and made appearances on ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, Food Network, and Sirius XM Radio. He has written about every topic imaginable, from dating, family, politics, social issues, and tech. He wrote his first tech articles for the now-defunct Dads On Tech 10 years ago, and his passion for combining humor and tech has grown under the tutelage of the Laptop Mag team. His penchant for tearing things down and rebuilding them did not make Mark popular at home, however, when he got his hands on the legendary Commodore 64, his passion for all things tech deepened. These days, when he is not filming, editing footage, tinkering with cameras and laptops, or on stage, he can be found at his desk snacking, writing about everything tech, new jokes, or scripts he dreams of filming.