Netflix Quietly Debuts Game Controller App for iOS: A Sneak Peek into Gaming

In a surprising move, Netflix has discreetly introduced a game controller app on Apple’s App Store, fuelling speculation that the streaming giant might be entering the gaming arena, allowing users to enjoy gaming experiences right on their TV screens.

Unveiled by TechCrunch, the Netflix Game Controller app seems to be in its infancy. The initial glimpses reveal a minimalist design featuring a controller layout against a plain black backdrop. Positioned on the left, a virtual thumbstick beckons, while four colorful buttons reside on the right. Interestingly, these buttons bear the familiar XYAB labels akin to Xbox and Nintendo Switch controllers. Yet, they’ve been creatively rearranged, forming an arrangement reminiscent of a paw print.

Upon landing on the Netflix Game Controller app, users are presented with the directive to pick a game through their television and then proceed to follow the prompts for controller connectivity. A brief notice also informs users that “Netflix Games on TV are in beta” and not all devices are currently supported.

As of now, the app is exclusively available on iOS, requiring an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch operating on iOS 15.0 or later. There’s no word on its presence in the Android realm. Additionally, the precise list of compatible games remains shrouded in mystery.

While Netflix has made its mark as a go-to platform for movies and television shows, the company delved into the realm of gaming back in November 2021, progressively expanding its gaming collection since. Subscribers are already enjoying access to over 50 mobile games across Android and iOS platforms. Notable titles in this arsenal include OXENFREE, Immortality, and Into the Breach. The company has also rolled out Netflix-exclusive games tied to its original shows, such as The Queen’s Gambit Chess, Too Hot to Handle: Love is a Game, and Nailed It! Baking Bash.

Netflix’s venture into cloud gaming has been a topic of discussion for a while. However, this doesn’t mean they are aiming to replace established gaming platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. Mike Verdu, Netflix’s vice president of gaming, has underlined their view on games as a “value add,” emphasizing that they don’t intend to supplant dedicated gaming consoles.

In a landscape where streaming has become synonymous with entertainment, Netflix’s intriguing move into gaming has surely stirred curiosity. With their discreet introduction of the game controller app, Netflix continues to hold us captive in their web of suspense, leaving us eager to see how this next chapter in their journey unfolds.

FAQs:

1. What is the Netflix Game Controller app? The Netflix Game Controller app is a recently released application available on Apple’s App Store. It serves as a potential interface for playing games on TV through Netflix.
2. What features does the Netflix Game Controller app offer? The app presents a minimalist controller layout, featuring a virtual thumbstick on the left and four colored buttons on the right. Users are prompted to select a game through their TV and then follow the directions for controller connection.
3. Is the Netflix Game Controller app available for Android users? As of now, the app is only available on iOS devices, requiring an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 15.0 or later.
4. What games are accessible on Netflix’s gaming platform? Subscribers have access to a range of games, including mobile titles like OXENFREE, Immortality, and Into the Breach, as well as Netflix-exclusive games tied to their original shows.
5. Is Netflix aiming to replace traditional gaming consoles? No, according to Netflix’s vice president of gaming, Mike Verdu. He views games as an additional value for Netflix subscribers, rather than a replacement for dedicated gaming platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch.

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