Netflix has initiated a limited beta phase to evaluate its cloud gaming service. Commencing today, a select group of subscribers in the UK and Canada will have the opportunity to engage in gaming on their television sets through the employment of the Netflix Game Controller application.
The primary objective of this beta program, as stated by Mike Verdu, Netflix Gaming’s Vice President, is to examine the functionality of their game streaming technology and controller while iteratively enhancing the overall user experience. The launch of the beta coincides with Verdu’s statement on the company’s website.
During this beta phase, participants will have access to just two games: “Oxenfree,” developed by Night School Studio and acquired by Netflix in 2021, along with “Molehew’s Mining Adventure.”
At present, the service is compatible with a range of devices including Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN. The company plans to expand its compatibility to additional devices in the future.
This beta test will extend to PC and Mac platforms through compatible web browsers in the approaching weeks. Users have the option of using a keyboard and mouse in place of the application for gaming on these devices.
According to Verdu, the aim is to facilitate game accessibility across a wider array of devices, with the ultimate goal of providing an easier and more expansive gaming experience for Netflix members globally. He expressed the company’s excitement to embark on this gaming journey and deliver entertainment to its members through games, despite being in the early stages of this endeavor.
Notably, Netflix introduced a gamepad app the previous week that enables subscribers to engage in gaming on their TV sets. Currently, this app is exclusively accessible on iOS devices.
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