Netflix is intensifying its foray into the world of video games by introducing a dedicated controller app for iOS devices. Named the “Netflix Game Controller,” this app permits users to transform their smartphones or tablets into gamepads after pairing their device with a TV. This enables players to engage in games offered through Netflix’s service on their television screen while maintaining control through their mobile device.
Although the app is currently available for download, detailed information is scarce. Key details like the roster of supported games and specifics about the pairing process remain undisclosed. Furthermore, it’s uncertain if and when an Android counterpart will be introduced. The app’s description hints at forthcoming gamepad functionality “coming soon to Netflix.”
This move aligns with Netflix’s expanding role as an indie game publisher. Over the past two years, Netflix Games has either published or hosted nearly 70 games. Some of these titles can be accessed through the regular Netflix streaming app, while others are playable on mobile devices and gaming consoles. Notably, these games are not mere afterthoughts, with releases like Oxenfree II: Lost Signals receiving critical acclaim. Oxenfree developer Night School Studio has evolved into Netflix’s first in-house game studio.
Upcoming titles slated for the Netflix platform include indie favorites such as Storytellers, Paper Trail, and the Monument Valley series. Additionally, there are plans for an Assassin’s Creed game and a port of the mobile title LEGO: Legacy Heroes Unboxed. It is reasonable to assume that the recently launched controller app can be used to play some of these games. Engadget reached out to Netflix for details about compatibility and the possibility of an Android release. A company representative stated that they are not providing comments at this time.
