Netflix: Games will be added to the catalog from “next year”, according to Bloomberg

News business Netflix: Games will be added to the catalog from “next year”, according to Bloomberg

The rumors have already become more persistent: A few weeks ago we heard from various floor noises that Netflix wanted to get into the video game market by offering a service comparable to the Apple Arcade ; the on-demand cinema giant would have approached several video game industry executives to make his dream come true. Today, Bloomberg allows himself to add more detailed information in an article by two of his well-informed journalists, Lucas Shaw and Mark Gurman.

First of all, and officially, you should know that Netflix Chief Operating Officer Greg Peters announced to IGN yesterday that Mike Verdu would join the platform as vice president of game development.

A title that obviously suggests something: Verdu was earlier Vice President at Facebook, responsible for working with developers for the Oculus (VR headsets belong to the social network, we remind you). The man also has liability with Electronic Arts.

Games would appear “next year” on Netflix

According to “A spring near the fall” who wants to remain anonymous, Bloomberg therefore claims that Neflix plans to add video games to its service as soon as possible “next year” : these would appear in the catalog within a new type of program, a bit like the company did with documentaries or comedy in its day. Other essential information, always depending on the site, Netflix would not charge any fees for these games, so they would be “free”. – understand by this that they would be accessible via a classic subscription, which of course requires the removal of the credit card.

This, of course, would be a big change for Netflix, which no longer wants to be seen as a movie titan, but good as an entertainment titan. Against this background, the company has opened up as well as documentaries, stand-ups and reality TV. she would turn to video games to expand her offering

and gradually enter the landscape in question.

Open access games, a barely profitable model even for Netflix?

Of course, some questions remain unanswered. The first concerns the style of play, very simple, and one wonders what kind of game is compatible with a simple remote control (which is absolutely not intended) for those who want to tackle it on their television. The arcade area should be quite suitable: We assume that compatibility with the phone or tablet is essentialto use it as a controller or just play anywhere by downloading / streaming the tracks. We must also highlight the existence of several interactive programs on Netflix, such as Black Mirror Bandersnatch, the first small step of the organization to our favorite hobby.

Another question is obviously in the crosshairs and concerns Compensation to Netflix and developers. That’s the point when it comes to an on-demand service plan and buying a game completely disappears. On the part of Microsoft with its Xbox Game Pass (which for once must have clearly inspired Netflix) we know it’s not profitable right now

– it will take sometime in years if the plans work as planned – and besides, The manufacturer does not shy away from generously checking the relevant software in its catalog. This is possible because Microsoft is called Microsoft and its investment portfolio is simply gigantic due to its activities: It also secures developers an income that is considered important by offering them a certain amount in advance.

But it’s obviously different with Netflix. Though very powerful the company also has no funds from Microsoft and we don’t know how it plans to make its video games profitable and reward its developers. By assigning them a sum depending on the number of minutes played ? Including Advertising at certain times ? It’s a real puzzle, even at the moment the Google giant broke its teeth with Stadia, couldn’t make a convincing offer to the players. As for Amazon, another member of GAFA who wanted to make video games (certainly not in “SVOD” like this one), the failure was bitter.

No doubt what to produce Arcade games are proving to be a great start for Netflix as the titles are obviously less expensive and less financially risky. However, we will therefore wait carefully for an official confirmation from the company, which arouses our curiosity here.