Netflix won't soon become a hub for streaming gameplay, although recent comments from its CEO, Reed Hastings, are really interesting.
Hastings spoke at the New York Times Dealbook conference and said that despite the growing interest shown by many major players in the world of entertainment and video streaming technology, Netflix has no intention of embarking.
"We're really focused on making amazing, unscripted series and movies," Hastings said, abandoning Netflix's idea of establishing an independent platform for streaming games. But why wouldn't it be part of the game streaming?
Game streaming is much more difficult than television.
We've seen an increase in investment from big tech companies in game streaming, especially in the form of Google Stadia, which will launch on November 19.
Although it has been widely described as a "Netflix for games," the Google-owned service will function more like existing online game markets that sell securities on a buy-and-hold basis. instead of giving access to an extensive library for a time. One-time subscription fee on the Xbox Games Pass or PlayStation Now line.
Although Stadia has a broader trend in game distribution (streaming), it is not the market disruptor that it could have been.
So why isn't Netflix intervening? You have the streaming infrastructure in place, although its fundamental use for the game may require costly development work (not to mention you don't have the budget).
Netflix also has a sizable user base, and the platform has already experimented with interactive fictional forms, such as the movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Bear Grylls: You Vs Wild.
One issue Netflix has been paying attention to is the quality of users' internet connections - it offers a basic low-resolution package that allows viewers to watch its content without the need for a high-speed fiber optic connection. Although more recently, we've seen Netflix offer mobile streaming services that only give subscribers easy (and affordable) access to low-resolution content on a small screen.
Games require more bandwidth to stream than television content, content is rendered and created in real time - the equivalent of a computer creating CGI Hulk second by second when you watch Avengers: Endgame. And this before considering the input offset between the controller inputs and what you see on the screen.
This becomes less of an issue as heavy processing processing is carried over to external servers (as with Google Stadia), but this is still a hindrance for gamers who want to experience the same latency-free experience as current TV broadcasters. And why would Netflix move to an area where it didn't think it could maintain the same quality and service standards?
If you can't beat them, don't join them
Hastings has acknowledged the sweepstakes of great games like Fortnite, acknowledging that the Battle Royale shooter is a bigger competitor than any other streaming service: "We compete with Fornite (and lose against) more than." with HBO ".
One option for Netflix may be to collaborate rather than compete. We have just seen that the platform announces new collaborations in the field of video games, the Stranger Things skins that arrive at the Fortnite boutique and two characters from the series (Jonathan and Nancy) now playable in the horror game. online Dead By Daylight.
First, Fortnite recovers the Hopper and Demogorgon skins so you can bring this chaotic father's energy back into battle royale. @FortniteGame pic.twitter.com/4sjm2lmvhbNovember 6, 2019
It's no surprise that Netflix is concentrating on what it does well. And while we've seen the streaming service game with more interactive elements suitable for a game-savvy audience, we really don't need Netflix to offer the same thing that many other platforms are already doing and are doing well.
You make yourself, Netflix.
Via GameSpot