Netflix kicks off streaming games trial in UK and Canada

Netflix has revealed it has rolled out its beta streaming games trial to a small selection of members Canada and the UK.

The limited beta test launched on select TVs in Canada and the UK today, with another roll out on PCs and Macs via Netflix’s website expected to come in the next coming weeks.

The global streaming platform launched its gaming service on mobile devices in 2021, including games based on its IP such as Exploding Kittens, League of Legends, Too Hot To Handle and Stranger Things. It has since acquired a number of gaming studios including Spry Fox, Boss Fight Entertainment, Night School Studio and Next Games. 

The TV gaming launch comes as part of Netflix’s strategy to grow its gaming arm which in 2022 was downloaded a total of 23.3 million times with an average of 1.7 million daily users, according to app analytics company Apptopi. This equated to less than 1% of Netflix’s then total of 221 million subscribers.

Netflix currently has 35 games available to its subscribers at no additional cost, with 55 more in development. Oxenfree from Night School Studio and gem-mining arcade game Molehew’s Mining Adventure will be part of the initial gaming test.

The streamer will assess its game streaming technology and controller during the trial and will address any raised concerns to improve the gamer’s experience over time.

Netflix’s games on TV will operate on select devices including Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN. Additional devices will be added on an ongoing basis.