It seems that Netflix is working on a feature that will allow you to use your smartphone to control games on your TV.
That’s according to a Bloomberg report, and as evidenced by code obtained by TheTapeDrive publisher and iOS developer Steve Moser on Twitter.
This code, found inside the Netflix app, reads: “A game on your TV needs a controller to play. Do you want to use this phone as a game controller?” This suggests that the media company is at least experimenting with using smartphones as controllers for its games on TV, even if it hasn’t made any public statements yet.
Netflix will no doubt want to expand its gaming services and accessibility. After all, it’s gotten off to a lukewarm start since its 2021 debut, and the service’s library of games is currently only playable on mobile phones and tablets. So maybe this could be a way to do it.
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
Meanwhile, last year it was reported that less than one percent of Netflix subscribers played any of its games daily (figures as of August 2022).
However, he has been busy buying some game studios. Over the past year, Netflix has acquired Triple Town and Cozy Grove developer Spry Fox, The Walking Dead mobile developer Next Games, and Oxenfree creator Night School Studio.
