Netflix is testing out a social element to its games pushing for Gamertags style handles
As part of its experimentation with adding a social component to its games, Netflix is encouraging the use of “Gamertags”-style handles that players can design and display publicly while playing a variety of mobile games. Netflix plans to provide a ranking system and indications that users will be able to see when other users are online and offline, making its mobile game library more sociable. When Mobile Developer Steve Moser tried out the new features, I didn’t notice that I could add friends or see the leaderboards. This means that these features may not be available just yet.
After updating and downloading the Netflix app for Invasion and Mahjong Solitaire, mobile developer Steve Moser discovered that Netflix allowed him to establish and maintain play handles tied to their unique Netflix profile in both games. When I updated my Netflix app and downloaded In The Breach and Mahjong Solitaire, I gave myself the gift of the creative process. Using the game handle, Netflix members can invite others to join the game. This was explained after selecting the Learn More option. In the same way that a Gamertag (or public-face-name on any other gaming platform) must be unique, your Netflix game handle must be as well.
According to platform developer Steve Moser (via TechCrunch), users can now assign custom Gamertags to their characters in a subset of the platform’s supported games. TechCrunch reports that last month, Netflix began rolling out testing for certain titles, such as Into the Breach, Bowling Baller, Heads Up!, and Mahjong Solitaire. The platform has announced that new features geared toward gaming are on the way, although the company has not said what those additions will be.
Since Netflix has recently been acquiring studios and investing in producing new titles based on original and existing Netflix IPs, it is clear that the business is gearing up to make a significant entry into the gaming market. Those with a Netflix subscription will be able to play the games for free, and there will be no in-game purchases or microtransactions, the firm has promised.
Apptopia, an app-tracking firm, was cited in a recent CNBC article showing that only 1% of Netflix customers, or approximately 1.7 million people, were actively watching their mobile selections every day. According to the list of Netflix-compatible devices, users can access Netflix through a web browser on a computer or through app software installed on smart TVs, TV-connected set-top boxes, tablets, Blu-ray Disc players, smartphones, digital media players, virtual reality headsets, and game consoles.