Netflix moves into gaming as five free games launch on its Android app

Netflix is trying to break into the game subscription market by offering subscribers five free mobile games to play on Android phones.

They were launched worldwide yesterday, with two of the games based on Netflix’s hit series Stanger Things and the other three billed as basic card or skill games.

The Silicon Valley-based company is promising more to come and also hopes to make the games available to Apple customers by rolling them out to iOS devices ‘in the coming months’. 

No adverts or in-app purchases feature in the games, unlike with many other mobile games. 

Expansion: Netflix is trying to break into the game subscription market by offering subscribers five free mobile games to play on Android phones (pictured)

‘We’re excited to take our first step in launching Netflix games on mobile to the world,’ the company said.

‘We want to begin to build a library of games that offers something for everyone.’

It added: ‘While this is just the beginning of a long journey, we’re excited to provide a gaming experience that is differentiated from what is available today — exclusive mobile games with no ads, no in-app payments, included with your Netflix membership.’

The games are now available for download on Android smartphones and tablets worldwide, including the UK and US, but had already been released in Italy, Poland, and Spain.

They are:

• Stranger Things: 1984
• Stranger Things 3: The Game 
• Shooting Hoops  
• Teeter Up 
• Card Blast

Netflix subscribers can access the games through the streaming giant’s Android app, which will then direct them to a download link in the Google Play Store.

They will then appear within the Netflix app, as well as on a user’s device home screen. 

The games are not available on Netflix profiles for children.

The move follows tests in a few countries, as the company looks to bolster its offering in face of intensified competition in the streaming space. 

Netflix aims to eventually release the games to iOS devices despite Apple having previously resisted attempts by other companies to put ‘stores inside stores’, especially around gaming. 

The company said the initial games, which have relatively simple graphics, were in the very early stages, but it ultimately plans to create ones ‘for every kind of player’. 

It recruited video game veteran Mike Verdu, who previously worked at games giant EA and later at Facebook on augmented and virtual reality, to head up its gaming team.  

‘Whether you’re craving a casual game you can start from scratch, or an immersive experience that lets you dig deeper into your favourite stories, we want to begin to build a library of games that offers something for everyone,’ said Verdu, Netflix’s vice president for game development.

‘Just like our series, films and specials, we want to design games for any level of play and every kind of player, whether you’re a beginner or a lifelong gamer.

Fun: The Silicon Valley-based company is promising more to come and also hopes to make the games available to Apple customers by rolling them out to iOS devices ‘in the coming months’

‘We’re excited to continue improving our mobile gaming experience and adding to our entertainment offering in the months ahead.’ 

Netflix had indicated its intention to venture into video games in July, eyeing potential hits based on the storylines of popular television series.

It has openly said it aims to compete with hit games such as Fortnite for people’s online entertainment time, and analysts suggest offering games could help attract new subscribers.

The global gaming market now exceeds $300 billion (£220 billion), according to a study this year by consulting firm Accenture.