Netflix starts testing game streaming on select devices, smart TVs and desktop browsers

Netflix is officially bringing its games to more devices. So far, the company's impressive library of games has only been available on iOS and Android. Now, though, Netflix is starting to use its streaming tech to publicly test its titles on TVs and computers.

"Our goal has always been to have a game for everyone, and we are working hard to meet members where they are with an accessible, smooth and ubiquitous service," Mike Verdu, Netflix's vice-president of games, wrote in a blog post. "Today, we’re taking the first step in making games playable on every device where our members enjoy Netflix."

The test appears to be very limited for now. Just two games will be available at the outset: Oxenfree (Netflix just released the sequel as its first game from an in-house studio) and gem-mining arcade title Molehew’s Mining Adventure.

The beta is only open to a small number of Netflix subscribers in the UK and Canada on Amazon Fire TV streaming media players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, NVIDIA Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung smart TVs and Walmart ONN. The company will add support for more devices later.

To play Netflix games on a TV, you can use a controller app that the company just released. When you select a game, your TV will display a QR code. Scan this with your phone to use it as your controller.

The games will also be available to try on Netflix's website via supported desktop browsers in the next few weeks. You'll be able to use your keyboard and mouse to control them on PCs and Macs.

Netflix says the goal of the test is to put its game streaming tech and controller app through their paces. Given the complex nature of rights agreements with various publishers, it's not yet clear whether Netflix will bring all of the games in its library to TVs and web browsers. For instance, you'll need a Netflix subscription to play Kentucky Route Zero,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge or Immortality natively on your phone, but those games are all available on other platforms. In any case, there's a big new player coming to the cloud gaming space.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-starts-testing-game-streaming-on-select-devices-smart-tvs-and-desktop-browsers-175241762.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/netflix-starts-testing-game-streaming-on-select-devices-smart-tvs-and-desktop-browsers-175241762.html?src=rss
Created 2y | Aug 14, 2023, 7:40:21 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

The world’s smallest pacemaker is injectable and powered by light

Engineers at Northwestern University have developed the world’

Apr 3, 2025, 5:50:09 PM | Engadget
TikTok reportedly faces a €500 million fine for sending private user data to China

TikTok will reportedly face a fine of over €500 million ($553 million) for transferring Europeans' private data to China. Bloomberg

Apr 3, 2025, 5:50:08 PM | Engadget
Switch 2 hands-on: I think Nintendo's new console is worth the $450

The original Switch started a revolution when it combined the portability of handhelds with the ability to play games on your TV at home like a traditional console. But with the Nintendo

Apr 3, 2025, 5:50:07 PM | Engadget
Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are back on sale for an all-time-low price

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale

Apr 3, 2025, 5:50:06 PM | Engadget
'Careless People' author Sarah Wynn-Williams will testify at a Senate hearing next week

Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former Facebook policy director behind a best-selling memoir about her time at the company, will testify at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing next week. The testimony

Apr 3, 2025, 5:50:05 PM | Engadget
Bang & Olufsen's new Beosound Balance speaker model comes with a marble plinth

What do modern speakers need? Good sound quality? As little distortion as possible? Longevity? Well, yes. Plus, according to

Apr 3, 2025, 3:30:13 PM | Engadget