LogInThe company aims to expand its game offerings by seeking major third-party titles to complement its existing first-party lineup.
Image credit: Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto V
Netflix has reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the release of a game from Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series, as part of its expanding presence in the game industry. However, the specific title and the outcome of these discussions remain undisclosed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The report made by the Wall Street Journal reveals that Netflix believes a stronger gaming presence will not only attract new subscribers but also provide existing ones with engaging content between seasons of their favorite shows. This move might be seen as a justifiable reason for potential subscription price increases. While the strategy seems to be showing gradual success, with Netflix game downloads increasing from 30.4 million to 70.5 million over the past year, less than 1% of the streaming platform's 238 million subscribers are reported to play games daily.
Image credit: Daniel Benmergui, Storyteller
A significant challenge probably lies in the current process of requiring users to download mobile games from their device's app store, resulting in lower user engagement. The Wall Street Journal notes that only half of the subscribers who click the "Get Game" button on the Netflix app proceed to download and play the games.
Image credit: Night School Studio, Oxenfree
In November 2021, Netflix made its initial foray into gaming by releasing five iOS and Android titles that could be accessed through a Netflix subscription. Since then, the streaming company has augmented its gaming catalog to include over 70 titles and has made notable acquisitions, including game developers such as Spry Fox (known for Triple Town and Cozy Grove), Next Games (developer of The Walking Dead mobile games), and Night School Studio (creators of Oxenfree).
Speaking of the future plans, Netflix intends to expand its online streaming catalog with new titles based on popular shows like Squid Game and Wednesday. Additionally, discussions are underway for the development of projects inspired by the renowned series Black Mirror and Extraction. In the near future, subscribers can look forward to a diverse range of content from these well-known franchises.
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