Netflix users can now play games on their smart TVs

Netflix is officially expanding beyond movies and series. Starting this week, subscribers can now play games directly on their smart TVs, marking the company’s biggest leap yet into interactive entertainment.

While the streaming giant first ventured into gaming with mobile titles four years ago, this move signals a more ambitious commitment to the gaming industry.

By introducing group-oriented, party-style games, the streamer aims to keep users engaged even when they’re not binge-watching their favourite shows.

To access the feature, users can simply navigate to the "Games" tab on the Netflix TV app, select a title, and use their phone as a controller.

Among the first five titles available are:

Boggle Party: Up to eight players race to find words in a scrambled grid.

LEGO Party: Four players compete in fast-paced mini challenges.

Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends: Identify the imposter before time runs out.

Pictionary: Game Night: Sketch and guess in a digital twist on the classic.

Tetris Time Warp: Compete with friends for the top score.

The feature has begun rolling out in select countries and will expand globally over time.

For those unversed, reports of Netflix’s plans to bring games to TV screens first surfaced in early 2023, followed by the launch of a mobile game controller app later that year.

This move could make Netflix a serious player in the casual gaming market, rivaling traditional game studios while giving its 270 million subscribers another reason to stay logged in.