Since the release of the 2018 interactive The Black Mirror Bandersnatch episode, Netflix has been eyeing bringing back the same entertainment in the form of gaming or virtual reality.
The Black Mirror Bandersnatch movie on Netflix was a different type of movie on the platform. It allowed viewers to choose from a set of options. Depending on their options, the film progresses towards the viewer’s preferences. It was a fun and entertaining experience, to say the least. And Netflix wanted more of that.
The creator Charlie Brooker was undeniably an expert in extremely disturbing tales with an innovative and technological touch. The Bandersnatch episode was touted as the “choose your own adventure” movie on Netflix. Netflix subscribers loved it.
Gamification certainly does sell these days. And Netflix, top subscription video service platform, is one that doesn’t want to lag behind the competition. Netflix announced this month that the platform is eyeing their most significant venture by far — gaming, and possibly VR.
Even though the new number of subscribers slowed down to a trickle, Netflix representatives stated that there would be no additional charge when these gaming features are added. Analysts predicted that Netflix subscribers would total to about $6.3 million during the first quarter. Unfortunately, the number of new subscribers from January to March fell short of the estimate. The platform only had about four million new subscribers, bringing the total subscribers to roughly 207.6 million.
VR, gaming to offer a new level of entertainment
Will Netflix’s plan to introduce VR and gaming within the next year on its platform increase the number of new subscribers? That remains to be seen. But viewers will have a taste of a different kind of entertainment, on top of the usual TV shows and movies, that’s for sure.
The streaming service seems like it’s trying its luck in gaming. The company confirmed on Wednesday that they officially have Mike Verdu, an Oculus, EA, and Zynga executive onboard. Verdu’s designation will be the vice president in gaming development and will answer to Chief Production Officer Greg Peters.
Netflix also announced a new deal on Thursday with Bridgerton TV producer Shonda Rhimes. This tight deal means the subscription service and Rhimes’s Shondaland Media will produce, distribute, and stream feature films, including gaming and VR content.
In addition, Netflix promises technical and financial infrastructure to Shondaland Media. This is in support of Shondaland’s mission for programs that aim for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Bridgerton is said to be the most highly watched series on Netflix by far.
First VR app on Netflix
But this wasn’t the first time Netflix had talks about integrating VR on its subscription service. In 2015, it introduced a 360-degree VR app that allows users to experience a different viewing inside a virtual room using the Game VR equipment.
A year after, the video-streaming service launched another version of that same app for Google’s Daydream headset. However, Netflix didn’t pursue VR after that. It goes to show how Netflix didn’t see VR as a significant priority.
But with more and more competitions vying for VR and gaming, the platform is now seeing a whole new opportunity, especially towards gaming.
Greg Peters said, “There’s no doubt that games are going to be an important form of entertainment and an important modality to deepen that fan experience.”
As for VR, Netflix representatives have been noncommittal since the 2015 VR app. Executives said they want to gauge whether VR would have a place for the most significant video-streaming service in the future.
