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The Netflix Games division is officially releasing mobile games for the Netflix smartphone app, with two of them including Stranger Things 3: The Game and 1984. The movie and TV streaming juggernaut announced its plans to branch out into the world of video games earlier in 2021, promising to offer Netflix Games at no extra charge for existing Netflix subscribers.

While Netflix has stated that its new gaming division will stick primarily to smaller, mobile-based games for the time being, there have been rumors of a possible deal with PlayStation - though this was never officially confirmed by either company and seems highly unlikely given that Sony already has a subscribtion-based service in the form of PlayStation Now. In more concrete news, Netflix acquired Oxenfree developer Night School Studio as the first of its in-house developers back in September, and Netflix has hinted at original titles based on popular shows like Squid Game along with games from second and third-party studios.

On November 2, Netflix Game Development Vice President Mike Verdu officially revealed the first wave of mobile-based video games arriving on the Netflix app, including Stranger Things 3: The Game and Stranger Things: 1984 (both developed by BonusXP), Shooting Hoops and Teeter Up (Frosty Pop), and Card Blast (Amuzo & Rogue Games). These five games will be available to Netflix subscribers with Android phones at no additional charge starting today, and they can be played on multiple devices using different profiles without an internet connection. However, Netflix Games won't be available on Kids profiles due to parental safety features. Netflix Games closed the official announcement by stating its mission statement is to "design games for any level of play and every kind of player" and promising more titles in the future.

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Both Stranger Things 3: The Game and Stranger Things: 1984 were previously available on other platforms before becoming launch titles for Netflix Games. Begining Netflix Games' library with two titles based around Stranger Things is quite fitting, as the popular supernatural series has had many tie-in video games in the past, such as 2017's Stranger Things: The Game and the upcoming Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales. There have also been many Stranger Things crossovers with other games, such as a batch of DLC content for Dead By Daylight that is unfortunately set to be discontinued on November 17.

Netflix is already a household name in film and TV series streaming, so it seems its gaming division could look to compete with existing mobile game subscription services like Google Play Pass and Apple Arcade. Only time will tell if Netflix Games will succeed as well as the company’s main streaming ventures, but its first round of mobile games could be a solid fountain for the future.

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