Netflix Has Begun Testing Video Games on TVs, PCs, and Macs

Are you still watching? Netflix is getting ready for its second act in the streaming wars with new gaming experiences on TVs and computers.

“Our goal has always been to have a game for everyone, and we are working hard to meet members where they are with an accessible, smooth, and ubiquitous service,” said Mike Verdu, VP of Games, in a statement. 

He added, “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.”

The two games available at launch are Oxenfree (from Night School Studio, a Netflix Games Studio), and Molehew’s Mining Adventure, a gem-mining game. Subscribers with access to the live beta can use their phones to play these games on TV with supported devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, LG TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, and Walmart ONN, with more devices to be added in the future. Gamers on PCs or Macs can use a keyboard and mouse.

The streamer officially entered the gaming market back in 2021 when it rolled out a number of mobile games including titles such as Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Card Blast, and Teeter Up. It’s also done a bit of interactive programming, like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and You vs. Wild.