Netflix recently shipped the “Game Controller” app for iPhone and iPad ahead of its big push into video game streaming. Today the company has more to say about how and when its new iOS app can be used.
“We are rolling out a limited beta test to a small number of members in Canada and the UK on select TVs starting today, and on PCs and Macs through Netflix.com on supported browsers in the next few weeks,” Netflix announced in a blog post.
“To play our games on TV, we’re introducing a controller that we already have in our hands most of the day — our phones. Members on PCs and Macs can play on Netflix.com with a keyboard and mouse.”
Netflix adds that the “limited beta is meant to test our game streaming technology and controller” before the gaming platform officially goes live.
Top comment by freediverx
This is way down on my list of complaints against Apple. I cancelled my Netflix account months ago and haven't been remotely tempted to return, given their high prices coupled with declining content quality and user-hostile management. Even if I were still a subscriber, I can't imagine being remotely interested in gaming on their platform.
Of course there's still the broader issue of Apple's gatekeeping and toll-collection, with the company's executives acting as if they deserve all the credit for the App Store's popularity and success, rather than giving credit where it's due to third party app developers, without whom the App Store would be about as successful as Ping. But I have little sympathy for whiny mega-corporations who simply feel it should be them doing the toll collecting instead of Apple.
Here’s the list of which connected TV platforms will be compatible to start:
- Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Players
- Chromecast with Google TV
- LG TVs
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Roku devices and TVs
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Walmart ONN
Unsurprisingly, Apple TV is absent from that list. Apple’s hostile policies toward game streaming services is at fault. Apple must protect its App Store revenue at all costs. Allowing game streaming apps onto iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV threatens the App Store’s golden goose: mobile game transactions.
Netflix is only testing the waters for game streaming at this point. Microsoft and Nvidia, however, have compelling game streaming services that customers would love to use on iPhone and iPad.
Welcome to the fight, Netflix. Its game streaming platform may not make a big splash, but it’s one more voice to argue for a modernized App Store policy on game streaming apps.
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