NFLX Stock Down 0.26% as Netflix Launches Its Games on iPhone and iPad

In about a week since it first introduced its games on Android devices, American pay-TV and production company, Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) has launched the gaming capabilities for its iPhone and iPad users anywhere in the world. According to a TechCrunch report, the rollout of the Netflix games on iOS devices will follow the model employed by Android, which involves integrating the games on the streaming app, rather than playing from the cloud.

The integrated games at launch include Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Teeter (Up), and Card Blast. Additionally, the recently released game, Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story which costs $10 on Switch and PC will also be accessible to all Netflix subscribers free of charge.

The launch model of the games features a new ‘Games’ tab on the Android version. Users who wish to play any of the game titles will then be directed to the Google Play Store to download them and then sign in using their Netflix credentials. This model is also being employed in the iPhone and iPad rollout, except that the download redirection will be to the App Store.

There is however a notable difference in the Apple integrations. According to the TechCrunch review, Netflix users on Android have their own dedicated “Games” tab in the app’s navigation, but iOS users will not. Rather, iPhone users will only see a dedicated games row in the app where they can select any game to download. There is also an obvious variation for iPad users who will see the row (pinned to position 6) and will be able to access games from the Categories drop-down menu.

Netflix Games on iOS: Dealing with Apple’s Privacy Policies

Netflix comes off as one of the few game launchers that have found a soft landing with Apple, with the company’s strict emphasis on privacy. Apple revised its policy to permit game publishers to have their own dedicated game catalog, however, each of the listed games must have their own dedicated App Store listing, presenting an easy way to review the games easily and independently.

While prior game publishers including Microsoft xCloud, Nvidia Geforce Now, Google Stadia, and Facebook Gaming, have found it particularly difficult to find their footing on the App Store due to the restrictions, Netflix seems to have found a way to deal with the privacy issues. The movie subscription company told TechCrunch that Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been a great partner in the move to launch its games.

The firm was, however, uncertain how having a dedicated Games tab will infringe on the privacy policies, but it said it had no issues with the limitations as it will not prevent it from offering a unique gaming experience to its users. Per the company, if additional clarity is secured in the near future, it will make all necessary adjustments in line with Apple’s provisions.

Netflix stock is down 0.26% in the pre-market, a trend that is quite unusual with the game launch on iOS. Each share is trading at $654.30 at the time of writing.