5 ms·

Surprised Netflix hasn't branched out into more content types or more dynamic content. You now have this two way communication channel seems kind of boring to n

by nimos 9y ago

Surprised Netflix hasn't branched out into more content types or more dynamic content. You now have this two way communication channel seems kind of boring to not try and use it even just for mostly video content. Some of their shows run 7+ million an episode. If you look at the development costs of simple mobile games and cut out all the stuff related to IAP it seems like they could create a lot of value for customers for pretty cheap by making some simple popular games without the IAP BS.

dasil003 9y ago
Are more people going to subscribe to Netflix because of this? Will they be distracted from the core business? Building a streaming video service is very different from building games of any sort, do they want to dilute their talent by going out and hiring for this? Sorry but I just don't see how this in any makes sense other than, "hey Netflix is doing really well, why don't they pull a Google and start throwing spaghetti at the wall".
- nimos 9y ago
  Do they ever actually hire people directly to make any of their content? I assumed it was all contracted out to production companies, I know it is for some shows. They could do the same thing for games just acting like a distributor. I think it's more likely to keep people subscribed then generate new subscriptions. No one person is going to like all the content they make. Personally I'd really enjoy having some fun well made mobile games I knew wouldn't try to sucker me at every turn with IAP. I think people with kids would really appreciate this. Their competitive advantage is they don't have to worry about IAP or marketing. I don't think this really falls into the category of "throwing spaghetti at the wall." It's creating entertainment content for a fixed monthly cost. Different entertainment, sure, but it's no self driving car.
  - dasil003 9y ago
    How do they distribute the games?
    - nimos 9y ago
      App store with a Netflix login in front? Same way they distribute their current app.
      - dasil003 9y ago
        And how would they persuade Google and Apple to let them install apps directly on people's devices?
        nimos 9y ago
        Exactly how their current app works. You download from the app store then login to access the content. Each game is it's own app on the app store. Maybe it violates TOS but their current app and others like spotify use the same mechanic to restrict access.
  - skittlebrau 9y ago
    We made a Stranger Things mobile game for Netflix that is free and devoid of IAP. It's just freely available on the app stores though, and does not require a Netflix subscription. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stranger-things-the-game/id1220479307 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stranger-things-the-game/id1... and https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonusxp.legend https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonusxp.le...
skinnymuch 9y ago
Are you talking about their shows sometimes costing $7M an episode? Do you know which ones besides House of Cards and The Crown?
- nimos 9y ago
  Sense8, The Get Down, Marco Polo. They are planning on spending 8 billion on content this year. Lets say they spend 10 million on a couple puzzle/king/angry bird style games. That's .125% of their content creation budget.
  - whatok 9y ago
    All three of those examples have been canceled.
- mburns 9y ago
  Sense8 was comparably expensive but has since been canceled.
  - mrexroad 9y ago
    Bummed about that. Enjoyed the premise. However, definitely not cheap to shoot on location across 5 continents (although i very much enjoyed the detail and contrast it provided)
- IkmoIkmo 9y ago
  Well, don't forget it's not just their own shows. It's been said Netflix's license payment is responsible for financing the $7m budget of Star Trek Discovery. Again, not their own show, but that's irrelevant for the point the parent is making (Netflix hasn't branched out into other content types and spends $7m per episode on video, but won't spend a similar amount on games). That having been said, I don't really see the point for Netflix to pursue some kind of mini-steam play. Not a core competency and all...
scarface74 9y ago
Good content is evergreen and the more content they create, they increase the incentive fgor people to subscribe. You can also create content once and automate creating compatible devices for everything. Games come and go, but House of Cards Season 1 is still a reason to subscribe to Netflix today. Think how many people are still discovering The Wire for the first time on HBO Now.

by nimos 9y ago

dasil003 9y ago

Are more people going to subscribe to Netflix because of this? Will they be distracted from the core business? Building a streaming video service is very different from building games of any sort, do they want to dilute their talent by going out and hiring for this? Sorry but I just don't see how this in any makes sense other than, "hey Netflix is doing really well, why don't they pull a Google and start throwing spaghetti at the wall".

nimos 9y ago
Do they ever actually hire people directly to make any of their content? I assumed it was all contracted out to production companies, I know it is for some shows. They could do the same thing for games just acting like a distributor. I think it's more likely to keep people subscribed then generate new subscriptions. No one person is going to like all the content they make. Personally I'd really enjoy having some fun well made mobile games I knew wouldn't try to sucker me at every turn with IAP. I think people with kids would really appreciate this. Their competitive advantage is they don't have to worry about IAP or marketing. I don't think this really falls into the category of "throwing spaghetti at the wall." It's creating entertainment content for a fixed monthly cost. Different entertainment, sure, but it's no self driving car.
- dasil003 9y ago
  How do they distribute the games?
  - nimos 9y ago
    App store with a Netflix login in front? Same way they distribute their current app.
    - dasil003 9y ago
      And how would they persuade Google and Apple to let them install apps directly on people's devices?
      - nimos 9y ago
        Exactly how their current app works. You download from the app store then login to access the content. Each game is it's own app on the app store. Maybe it violates TOS but their current app and others like spotify use the same mechanic to restrict access.
- skittlebrau 9y ago
  We made a Stranger Things mobile game for Netflix that is free and devoid of IAP. It's just freely available on the app stores though, and does not require a Netflix subscription. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stranger-things-the-game/id1220479307 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stranger-things-the-game/id1... and https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonusxp.legend https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonusxp.le...

skinnymuch 9y ago

Are you talking about their shows sometimes costing $7M an episode? Do you know which ones besides House of Cards and The Crown?

nimos 9y ago
Sense8, The Get Down, Marco Polo. They are planning on spending 8 billion on content this year. Lets say they spend 10 million on a couple puzzle/king/angry bird style games. That's .125% of their content creation budget.
- whatok 9y ago
  All three of those examples have been canceled.
mburns 9y ago
Sense8 was comparably expensive but has since been canceled.
- mrexroad 9y ago
  Bummed about that. Enjoyed the premise. However, definitely not cheap to shoot on location across 5 continents (although i very much enjoyed the detail and contrast it provided)
IkmoIkmo 9y ago
Well, don't forget it's not just their own shows. It's been said Netflix's license payment is responsible for financing the $7m budget of Star Trek Discovery. Again, not their own show, but that's irrelevant for the point the parent is making (Netflix hasn't branched out into other content types and spends $7m per episode on video, but won't spend a similar amount on games). That having been said, I don't really see the point for Netflix to pursue some kind of mini-steam play. Not a core competency and all...

scarface74 9y ago

Good content is evergreen and the more content they create, they increase the incentive fgor people to subscribe. You can also create content once and automate creating compatible devices for everything. Games come and go, but House of Cards Season 1 is still a reason to subscribe to Netflix today. Think how many people are still discovering The Wire for the first time on HBO Now.