For the past two years, Netflix subscribers have enjoyed access to over 75 mobile games, all included as part of their subscription, such as Grand Theft Auto, Love Is Blind, Monument Valley, and Oxenfree. Recent reports suggest that Netflix might be exploring revenue-generating strategies for its gaming business.
According to information from The Wall Street Journal, discussions have been ongoing within the company for several months on how to monetize its games. Potential avenues include in-app purchases, pricing premium titles, and introducing ads for subscribers in its ad tier. These approaches are standard and successful in the mobile gaming industry, given the projected $111.4 billion consumer spending on mobile games in 2024.
While Netflix seemingly denied the idea of incorporating ads and in-game payments in April 2023, sometimes things change. Initially resisting the idea of adding ads, Netflix implemented an ad-supported tier and adjusted its approach to password sharing after a significant subscriber loss in 2022.
The potential move to monetize games aligns with Netflix’s current situation. The streaming giant faced growth stagnation at the beginning of 2023, resulting in a 3% reduction in its workforce. Additionally, Netflix recently raised its prices, with the premium plan now costing $22.99 per month for new U.S. customers, a significant price hike from $17.99 at the end of 2020.
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