Netflix is realizing a dream that is years in the making. The streaming service has been intent on making its mobile game division a successful driver of engagement, and has consistently infused time and money into that part of its company despite a 2022 report that less than 1% of subscribers played those games. Now, the streamer is taking a major step forward with its mobile games, launching them on smart TVs for the first time.

Netflix is making its video games available to play on smart TV screens on a wide basis for the first time, after previously only being available on mobile devices. Customers will use their smartphones as controllers, but most of the gameplay will take place on the screen itself. Netflix is launching a group of games that are meant to be played in groups, specifically to get viewers playing with friends and family.

Those games include “Boggle Party,” “Lego Party,” “Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends,” “Pictionary: Game Night,” and “Tetris Time Warp.” The hope is that Netflix’s games will boost engagement on the streaming service, keeping viewers using the Netflix app more even if they’re not watching a TV show or movie on the service.

The launch of Netflix games on TVs has been an arduous process, at times. Reports that Netflix was attempting to bring games to TVs first surfaced in early 2023, and at first, progress seemed quick. A controller app for Netflix games was released for iOS devices in August of that year, but since then, the public updates about bringing mobile games to TVs have essentially stopped.

Now that they’ve arrived, Netflix will likely begin increasing the number of games available on TVs soon. They’re free to play for all Netflix customers as of now, but if they become successful, expect Netflix to find ways to monetize its games somehow. Executives at the company reportedly began discussing how to make Netflix games a revenue generator nearly two years ago, but have likely held off on widespread efforts to do so until a larger percentage of subscribers start playing them.

Tell us how you feel about the launch of Netflix games on smart TVs below. Are you likely to play these games, or will you be skipping them while you wait for the new season of “Stranger Things” or your other favorites? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

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The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.

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