Netflix Launches ‘Game Controller’ App For iPhone

Netflix continues to make efforts in the field of video games. This time the company has released a dedicated controller app for iOS devices.

Called the Netflix Game Controller, the app lets you use your phone or tablet as a game controller once it’s paired with your TV. This makes it possible to play games available through the Netflix service on the TV, controlling the process from your mobile device.

Back in October last year, Netflix VP of Gaming Mike Verdu revealed that the company was “exploring cloud gaming” and a second game studio for the platform, led by Chacko Sonny, was announced in Southern California, former executive producer of Overwatch at Blizzard Entertainment. It is noteworthy that the company does not plan to invade the territory of giants like the PlayStation or Xbox – this is an “added value” and not a replacement for consoles, and a completely different business model. According to Mr. Verdu, the defunct Google Stadia cloud service was a great technology solution, but could not survive due to a failed business model.

Netflix includes free games with its streaming subscription. Only this year the company plans to release 40 titles. At the same time, 16 are developed by the company’s own studios and another 70 are created by partners. Plans to open a catalog of cloud games for smart TVs with phones as controllers became known in March. In the past quarter, the streaming platform expanded its customer base by 5.9 million subscribers, bringing their number to 238.4 million.

The Netflix Gaming Controller app is currently only available for iOS devices.