The service Netflix is planning to launch a video game with a line of its own content. This will not happen until 2022.
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming (streaming) video services in the world. Even if you didn't know anything about it before, you probably watched or heard about such TV shows as Black Mirror, House of Cards, 13 Reasons Why, or Stranger Things.
One of the distinctive features of Netflix is that the new series is released not one episode once a week (like HBO products). But immediately a whole season on one day simultaneously around the world in different languages.
Netflix is available in any country and works on different devices: smartphones (Android and iOS), tablets, computers, TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles, DVD, and Blu-ray players.
New Ideas for the Company
According to the information, Netflix is thinking about creating a set of high-quality games for mobile devices without subscription ads. In addition to games developed by the platform itself, there will be others.
They were created especially for Netflix by third parties.
In addition to interactive shows, Netflix has an ever-expanding list of series based on video game plots. It is also looking for an executive to develop its video games business. And has already offered jobs to several executives from large companies in the gaming industry.
According to those close to the company, their game strategy is still developing, and the details are constantly changing. We only know that there will be no ads in the games. In addition, the option of selling collections of games on a prepaid basis is being considered.
The company has yet to directly confirm its plans for gaming content but says it is “happy to do more with interactive entertainment.” Netflix now has over 200 million subscribers, which could give a head start to their game project.
In addition, the company has already created or announced game and animated series on such popular game universes as:
- Resident Evil – a survival game;
- DOTA is an online game popular all over the world;
- Assassin's Creed – a series of games about assassins and templars and others.
They also include “The Witcher,” the adaptation they decided on after the popularity of the third part of the game.
Previously, Netflix experimented with game-based interactive films or TV series. Thus, viewers could determine the steps of the characters in the sci-fi drama “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and in the TV series “You vs. the Wild.” Games were also created based on the series “Stranger Things,” “The Paper House,” and others.
Netflix's expansion into the gaming industry is not surprising. During the pandemic, the platform stopped filming the series, and as a result, the number of paid subscriptions fell. So, according to the company itself, in the first quarter of 2020, about 15.77 million people subscribed to the service. While in the first quarter of 2020, the platform's client base expanded by only 3.98 million users.
In addition, Netflix faces competition from new streaming services including Disney + Disney, AT&T's HBO Max, and NBCUniversal's Peacock. To tackle the competition, in April Netflix entered into a multi-year agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment, a division of the Sony Group, to screen film studio films. The streaming service received the rights to show the company's films in the United States from 2022 for five years.
Impact on young people
Most of these video games have gained popularity among young people and the younger generation, children between the ages of 14 and 24. Thanks to their genuine interest and sincere criticism, teens and young people are buying new video games, which significantly increase sales. After conducting a final report from Deloitte, it was found that more than 26% of all teens and young people named video games a place where they can relax and unwind. The statism was much higher than listening to music, browsing the Internet, surfing on social media, and even watching a movie. In addition, it is worth noting that 46% of young people said that video games are well ahead of other sources of entertainment and are the engine of progress. Netflix itself agrees that even such a popular video game as Fortnite or Dota competes with them.
Conclusion
Netflix's vision for creating its own video game is based on current trends and realities in 2021.
It is much more interesting to immerse themselves in the world of video games or free slots like the Dog House demo than watching TV shows or listening to music for young people. In addition, it will be a new experience for the company. And it will show whether it is worth further developing in this direction. Given the intense competition and declining profits during the pandemic, launching its own video game could breathe life into Netflix's creativity again. Thanks to the enormous base of subscribers and fans, the start of a new project will cause a great resonance in society.
