In recent years, media companies have been incorporating games into their platforms to capture user attention in a competitive landscape with shrinking attention spans. The global gaming market, valued at around $221 billion, presents a lucrative revenue opportunity for these companies.
Netflix is one such company that has delved into gaming, offering a diverse portfolio of nearly 100 games, including popular titles like GTA: The Trilogy and Assassin’s Creed. Netflix’s gaming service is free for subscribers and accessible via the mobile app on iOS and Android devices. Subscribers can choose from different subscription tiers – Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium – ranging from $6.99 to $22.99 per month.
YouTube has also entered the gaming space with its “Playables” feature, offering over 75 minigames to users for free. These games, such as Angry Birds Showdown and Cut the Rope, are designed for casual play and can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices without the need for downloads.
Sling TV, facing competition in the streaming industry, has introduced the “Arcade” gaming platform, allowing users to play classic arcade games while watching TV shows or movies. The selection of games, including Doodle Jump and Wheel of Fortune, is expected to expand over time. Users can access Arcade on Sling TV and Sling Freestream on select devices like Amazon Fire TV and Samsung TVs.
LinkedIn, known for professional networking, has also ventured into gaming to attract more users. The platform offers three games – Queens, Crossclimb, and Pinpoint – to foster connections among users. These games can be played with first-degree connections once a day, adding a social element to the professional networking platform.
As companies continue to explore gaming as a means of engaging users and generating revenue, we can expect to see more innovative offerings and features in the gaming space across various platforms. With the ever-growing global gaming market, the integration of games into media platforms is likely to become more prevalent in the coming years.