As Netflix expands its TV cloud gaming beta to the US, the company is developing its first in-house AAA game and is in talks to bring a Grand Theft Auto title to its platform, according to WSJ.
Netflix is currently testing cloud gaming – game streaming – in the UK and Canada, and this week the beta test is expanding to select users in the US.
- "We are now beginning to roll this limited beta test to the US," Netflix confirmed on October 16, 2023.
Cloud gaming makes Netflix's games available to play, in theory, on practically any device, including Smart TVs and media players
Also read: Netflix's games will work on Google TV, FireTV, Shield, Smart TVs – not Apple TV
Games from Netflix are streamed to the TV device and controlled with an app. Photo: Netflix
Triple-A games
Netflix is also currently working on a first-party AAA game, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
AAA, or triple-A, is a term used to describe the biggest and most expensive games. This move would put Netflix in competition with game studios, similar to how Netflix competes for new content with existing Hollywood studios.
Also read: Google pulls the plug on Stadia today: What went wrong?
Grand Theft Auto on Netflix?
The company has also reportedly discussed bringing a game from the Grand Theft Auto series to its platform. However, it remains unclear which title is under consideration and the outcome of those discussions.
- "It has discussed plans to release a game within the popular action-adventure series “Grand Theft Auto” from Take-Two Interactive Software through a licensing deal, some of the people said," reported WSJ.
However, to be a player in AAA gaming, Netflix must provide support for game controllers on TVs. The current beta test relies on a virtual controller layout on the touchscreen of iPhone and Android smartphones.
According to the report, Netflix is also set to soon release mobile games based on some of its existing franchises, including Squid Game, Extraction, Sherlock Holmes, and Black Mirror.
- Source: WSJ
