It's official: Netflix is getting into games, starting with mobile

Netflix on Android
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Netflix has confirmed that it's entering the gaming business — and it will start by offering free mobile games to subscribers.

Rumors had been rife that the streaming giant was poised to move into gaming, and it finally revealed the first details around its plans in its Q2 earnings report. While not giving everything away, Netflix announced that it will focus on mobile gaming to start with, a move that will see it go head-to-head with Apple and Google, among others.

In the report, Netflix said that it was "in the early stages of further expanding into games, building on our earlier efforts around interactivity (eg, Black Mirror Bandersnatch) and our Stranger Things games."

"We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation and unscripted TV, “ the report continued. “Games will be included in members’ Netflix subscription at no additional cost similar to films and series.”

The fact that Netflix is starting out with mobile titles, and that it specifically referenced the Stranger Things game, gives us some idea of what we can expect. In a presentation on the report, Netflix COO Greg Peters added that its vast bank of original content will provide a fertile ground for games.

“We are in the business of making these amazing worlds and great storylines and incredible characters, and we know the fans of those stories want to go deeper, they want to engage further,” Peters said.

Peters also stated that the games will be ad-free and would not contain in-app purchases — a move that will no doubt delight many mobile gamers.

"We also feel that our subscription model yields some opportunities to focus on a set of game experiences currently underserved by the dominant monetization models in games," Peters said. "We don't have to think about ads, we don't have to think about in-game purchases or other monetization, we don't have to think about other per-title purchases."

While mobile games will be Netflix's initial focus, Peters also revealed that console games could arrive in the future, stating that "Ultimately, we see all of the devices that we currently serve as candidates for some kind of game experience." Given that the Netflix app is available on everything from the PS5 and Xbox Series X to a multitude of TVs and the best streaming devices, that leaves plenty of room for expansion. 

According to previous reports, Netflix has hired former Oculus and EA executive Mike Verdu to oversee its gaming division, but otherwise info had been thin on the ground until now.

We still don't know when the first games will arrive, but a recent Bloomberg report suggested that it could be within the next year. 

Nor is it entirely clear how Netflix will distribute these games. Bloomberg’s initial report claimed they would be available in the Netflix app alongside its existing portfolio of movies and TV shows, but there's no detail yet about whether games will be streamed or downloaded from an app store.

There’s still much that Netflix needs to clarify, then, but we aren’t likely to get any answers for a while yet. So instead, sit tight and enjoy the best Netflix shows and TV series already available.

Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
Netflix logo on a TV screen next to a vase of flowers
How to get Netflix for free — here are 3 ways
Netflix app on a tablet
Netflix announces yet another price hike — here's how much more you'll pay
Netflix logo on iPhone
Netflix is finally getting this much-requested feature for iPhone and iPad users — here's how it works
"Squid Game" season 3.
Netflix just revealed its 2025 slate — ‘Squid Game’ season 3, 'Stranger Things' season 5 and more
Helldivers 2 screenshot
Every PlayStation movie and TV show confirmed at CES 2025 — 'The Last Of Us' season 2 update, Helldivers movie and more
Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming titles shown with Xbox controller and Xbox Series X menu
The best cloud gaming services in 2025
Latest in Gaming
A pink and teal Cooler Master CH351 wireless gaming headset
This Cooler Master PS5 gaming headset works best when wired — so why call it wireless?
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom screenshot
Massive Nintendo Switch game sale live from $4 — 17 deals I'd buy now
Atomfall screenshot
I wanted to love Atomfall — why it's a good game that could have been great
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, March 21 (#649)
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Deleted image reveals Steam games in the Xbox app — here's what it could mean
Qanba Q7 Obsidian 2
I just tested this arcade stick for PS5 and PC — and it's nearly perfect for fighting game fans
Latest in News
Segway g30lp
Segway recalls 220,000 electric scooters - what to do if yours is on the list
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S25 Plus vs S25
Satellite messaging on Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 just landed on 3 more carriers
L-R: Claude (Marco Calvani), Danny (Colman Domingo), Kate (Tina Fey) and Jack (Will Forte) have their bags packed for Netflix's "The Four Seasons"
Netflix just teased a new comedy series starring Tina Fey, Steve Carrell and Colman Domingo — and we already have a release date
back of Iris Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a is lacking one of the Pixel 9’s best safety features — here’s what we know
Razer Blade
Nvidia's DLSS 4 demo in a Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5090 gives me hope again for next-gen gaming laptops
Striped lawn
Expert reveals the kitchen waste item that can help you create a green and healthy lawn