For two years, Netflix subscribers have been able to download tons of mobile games, all included for free with their subscription. Netflix has developed Netflix could potentially be exploring ways to generate revenue from its games like in-app purchases and ads.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the company has had discussions about how to make money from its games for months now, including in-app purchases, putting a price tag on more premium titles and placing ads on games that subscribers to its ad tier have access to. These methods are common (and effective) in the mobile gaming world, with consumers expected to spend $111.4 billion on mobile games in 2024
The only reason Netflix games library is decent, its are not laid with ads or in-app purchases. If that was changed it would no longer make the experience enjoyable. Hopefully, they don't.
Netflix basically bought the rights to republish versions of established mobile games as "Netflix Edition" titles with ads and in-app purchases removed as a value add to subscribers to get them into their games ecosystem. And now they want.... to put ads and micro transactions back? I understand the reasoning behind it obviously-- they need a return on their investment-- but that is a clean about-face from their initial strategy
So they are going to put ads and in-app purchases inside of a paid streaming app that also has ads? Games as part of Netflix only made sense if they were part of a value-add. Having the games individually having monetization completely invalidates paying for Netflix (aside from video).
This is a dumb idea, and Netflix knows it. Sounds like an intentional plan to kill off their game segment.
If the ads fit in-world, like a Coke bilboard in a racing game or as is used in many games now the real product names of guns: I'm fine with that.
If it's a fuckin' popup or splash page or something that isn't actually part of the game itself, all subtle like: Fuck that.
Given the mainstream popularity of video games, it makes a lot of sense to get sponsorships to place real world products in the game, the way it's done on TV and movies. Subtle. Not all up in your face like Wayne's World (at least that was a joke) or Death Stranding.
There are some pretty cool games that were ported to mobile by Netflix, like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, but if they are going to inject ads and in-app purchases into them (you know, on top of the subscription), they are going to ruin them
The experience is decent. Asphalt extreme, dead cells, and many more. Premium gaming experience without ads or micro transactions. Some are also Netflix exclusive.
I've only used the Asphalt Xtreme game, and it's awesome. It's like the old asphalt 6 days where you raced cars and didn't need to worry about fuel or in-app micro transactions to progress.
The only selling point to Netflix gaming is that there are no in-app purchases or ads. I can't see any scenario where adding adds/micro transactions doesn't immediately kill Netflix gaming.
Frankly, I think this whole thing is a beat up for clicks.
Didn't they just post about how they acknowledge that their game ecosystem sucks is almost nobody uses it but they intend to change that... now they want to add Advertisements? 10/10 company planning
They don't consider shit, they have a long tern plan that includes publicly flying out test balloons like this to see how pissed off the public get. If it's benign enough, they'll do it. If not, they'll wait a while and try again.
The website seems fine , at least a week ago. But the app which I rarely use. I had to use it recently and oh boy. Is horrendous and overwhelming. Geez.