According to Bloomberg and Steve Moser, a contributing writer at MacRumors, Netflix will allow users to control TV games with their iPhones. This move is consistent with Netflix’s recent announcement that its games will be “playable on every Netflix device that you own.”
Moser went on to say that the iOS app contains code that indicates the phone can be used as a game controller by displaying a message that says, “A game on your TV requires a controller to play.” “Would you like to use your phone as a game controller?
Netflix wants to make games playable on every device by turning your iPhone into a controller for Netflix running on a TV. Code hidden in their iOS app: "A game on your TV needs a controller to play. Do you want to use this phone as a game controller?" $NFLX cloud gaming soon? https://t.co/ZPl5gyoKkQ pic.twitter.com/ilpSJjcxBG
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) March 30, 2023
Netflix launched its mobile games service in late 2021 and has since released 55 games, with an additional 40 scheduled for release this year. These games, however, are only available on iOS and Android devices and cannot be played on larger screens like TVs or laptops.
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Netflix is considering using mobile devices as controllers rather than developing a dedicated game controller, as Google did for its now-defunct Stadia service. Furthermore, it recently announced that it is working on a cloud gaming service that will use mobile devices as controllers.
Back in October last year, Netflix’s VP of games, Mike Verdu stated that the company was seriously exploring cloud gaming features.
Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher declined to comment on the matter.
