Streaming has become a major interest for much of the gaming industry, andNetflixwants a slice of the pie. Already a titan of video streaming,Netflixis now making a major push into the video game market — and some big IPs are backing it up.
Netflix has long had an interest in increasing the interactivity of its service, launchingChoose Your Own Adventure-style shows as far back as 2015. In 2021, though, the company kicked things up a notch with the inclusion of exclusive, ad-free mobile games in Netflix subscriptions. Netflix then began rolling out a limited beta release of cloud gaming for TV and web devices in 2023, which expanded to France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Spain in January 2024. Netflix continues to expand its gaming portfolio, with some titles even making it a partial launch strategy. One example isthe upcomingTales of the Shire, which will only be available on mobile via Netflix.
The Gaming IPs Backing Netflix
Original titles are a key part of any gaming platform’s success, and Netflix is certainly invested in this angle — with it being the sole mobile home of theupcoming sign-language musical gameHarmonium, in addition to many other original IPs. However, known franchises can really turn some heads — something that’s started to really ramp up with Netflix Games' broadening catalog. Both ports and new entries are part of Netflix’s push when it comes to existing gaming IPs.
•Civilization 6: Platinum(upcoming)
•Into the Dead 2: Unleashed
•Death’s Door
•OXENFREE
•OXENFREE 2: Lost Signals
•Bloons TD 6
•Snake.io
•Arcanium: Rise of Akhan
•World of Goo Remastered
•Spiritfarer
The list above omits licensed titles (such asTMNT: Shredder’s Revenge), but nonetheless shows off an impressive variety of ports. Not only does it show how farNetflixis going with its catalog of ports, but it stands as a real testament to how far mobile games have come — even if the medium has yet to escape its reputation for shovelware.
Across this list, there is a diversity of both indie darlings and established AAA names, with the latter category includingthe upcoming inclusion ofCivilization 6. Some of these games do differ from their presentation on other platforms, as is the nature of ports, though this mostly comes down to the removal of ads and/or in-game purchases.
•Sonic Prime Dash
• UntitledAssassin’s Creedgame (upcoming)
Netflix certainly focuses more on portsthan original spin-offs, but it has a fair share of the former too. Many of these are similar to ports in a way, though, offering watered-down versions of their more impressive cousins. Nonetheless, they’re distinct enough for differentiation.
The most interesting item here isthe upcomingAssassin’s CreedNetflix game, one that will supposedly tie in with the upcoming live-action show. Ubisoft has been supportive of Netflix’s gaming efforts, with thisAssassin’s Creedtitle being the jewel of a three-game deal. Announced back in 2022, details around this upcoming game have been incredibly scarce — in fact, nothing new has been divulged about it in 2 years.
