Netflix has started tested game streaming technology on select TV devices. The test gives us more insight into the company's plans.

Earlier this month, Netflix started testing cloud gaming to TV devices as part of a limited beta in the UK and Canada. It currently works on FireTV, Android TV, Google TV, LG webOS, Roku and Samsung Tizen. Apple TV is not supported.

We have now learned that Netflix's cloud gaming platform is currently limited to maximum 720p resolution for both games included in the test; Oxenfree and Molehew's Mining Adventure.

The same 720p limitation will apply to Netflix's upcoming game streaming solution for web browsers.


 Netflix games are streamed over the internet to the TV device and controlled through an app. Photo: Netflix

Competitors are ahead
Limiting game streaming to 720p can help ensure performance and stability, but Netflix is nevertheless far behind its peers in this regard.

Xbox Game Pass supports game streaming in up to 1080p60, PlayStation is testing 4K, and Nvidia's GeForce Now supports 4K60. The now-defunct Google Stadia also supported 4K.

While Netflix's current games do not compare in graphical fidelity to PC or console games, the company has on multiple occasions indicated that it has big plans for gaming, so we would expect Netflix to continue to refine its streaming technology to support higher resolutions suitable for TVs.


Other limitations
There are other limitations, too. At this time, games require a Netflix controller app. There is no support for Bluetooth-based game controllers.

In addition, your current Netflix plan's number of simultaneous streams appears to also come into play when playing games via the cloud.

Netflix is currently building out its server infrastructure to support gaming and warns that players may be denied access to a game if too many people are playing it at the given time.

The company has not said when cloud gaming will be available to everyone.