Netflix Expands Territory with First Mobile Game Release

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] American online video service (OTT) company Netflix unveiled its first mobile game on the 2nd (local time). It is expanding its territory from movies and TV programs to the gaming sector to increase subscribers.

According to the U.S. economic media CNBC, Netflix released five mobile games for Android on the same day. Subscribers can enjoy the game service within the app without additional costs. However, it is not available on kids' profiles. Netflix plans to launch games for Apple iOS soon.

Among the five games released this time, two are named after Netflix's popular content "Gimyohan Iyagi" (Stranger Things). The other three are general games such as card games, basketball, and balancing games.

Netflix revealed its ambition in the gaming business early on. Reed Hastings, Netflix founder and CEO, said in 2019, "Netflix's biggest competitor is not Disney but Fortnite." Fortnite is a game where characters use guns or weapons to eliminate obstacles or enemies.

This summer, Netflix officially announced its entry into the gaming market by recruiting Mike Verdu, Facebook's vice president of game development. Since August, it has been piloting game services starting in Poland, followed by Spain and Italy.

Although Netflix said it would operate games separately from other services, executives are also considering producing video content using popular characters from the games. Greg Peters, Netflix Chief Operating Officer, previously said, "Soon, we will see games leading to movies or TV series," expressing expectations that "different forms of entertainment will interact with each other."