Netflix brings video games to smart TVs – Automated Home

Netflix is rolling out its games onto the living room TV. For the first time, the streaming service is letting subscribers pick party games from a Games tab on their TV app and use their phones as controllers.

It’s an obvious step for a company that already owns the biggest non-work screen in most homes, but it also signals a shift in how Netflix sees entertainment. Think Netflix is done surprising you? Keep reading, the next few lines might change how you see your TV.

Play together on the couch, not just watch on the couch

Here’s the twist. Netflix has offered mobile games for years, but those titles lived on phones and tablets and rarely drew major attention. Now, the company wants to move social play into the same room where most of its shows are watched.

Co-CEO Greg Peters said during an appearance at the Bloomberg Screentime conference that Netflix is “going after social gaming experiences that can show up on your TV.”

He even gave Netflix’s gaming efforts a self-graded B-minus, a candid sign the platform still has ground to cover before it feels like a native gaming destination.

Netflix wants movie night to include game night

Netflix’s first TV lineup focuses on lighthearted, party-style games, the kind that work best when friends or family are in the same room. The initial batch includes Boggle Party, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, LEGO Party, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends.

Each one is built for easy pickup: find words, draw sketches, build LEGO challenges, or bluff your way through rounds with your friends. The games are included in every Netflix subscription and come at no extra cost or with ads.

Party games on your TV using your phone as a controller

Playing is straightforward. On compatible TVs, open the Games tab in the Netflix app, select a title, and a QR code appears. Scan it with your phone camera, and your phone becomes the controller. If you’re on iPhone, download the Netflix Game Controller app from the App Store. On Android, use the main Netflix app and scan the QR code each time you start a game. Netflix explains these steps clearly in its online support documentation.

You’ll need a smart TV or streaming device (like Roku or Fire TV) and a steady internet connection to keep gameplay smooth.

Watch the video “Netflix Brings Video Games to Its TV Service for First Time: Co-CEO Peters” to hear Greg Peters explain the idea, then come back and read the rest of the article to see how it fits into Netflix’s bigger plan.

Netflix’s living room strategy is starting to make perfect sense

Let’s break it down. Mobile gaming is huge but oversaturated. Netflix already realized that competing head-on in the mobile space wasn’t sustainable. Shifting gaming to the TV makes sense; it’s the one shared screen already tied to the company’s identity.

As reported by Bloomberg from Netflix’s Q3 2025 earnings call, co-CEO Greg Peters said the company sees mobile gaming as a crowded and mature space already dominated by established players. That’s why Netflix is turning its focus to the living room instead.

The idea is simple: if people already spend hours watching series and movies on their TVs, why not give them something fun to play there too? It’s a way to keep viewers engaged even when they’re not streaming a show.

This strategy also fits with what Netflix outlined earlier this year, a broader push toward interactive entertainment that includes live voting and real-time engagement formats.

The big picture: an all-in-one entertainment hub

There’s a cultural side to this shift. By blending shows, movies, and now games on the same screen, Netflix is aiming to become a full-fledged home entertainment hub.

Party games are a low-risk entry point: they’re easy to understand, require no controller investment, and invite multiple players to participate. That social element is something Netflix hopes will strengthen loyalty and brand connection.

Netflix still has work to do before its TV gaming feels seamless

Here’s the problem. Building a smooth gaming experience across many smart TVs isn’t simple.

• Netflix has confirmed it is expanding its cloud and server capacity to support game traffic. Latency and device compatibility remain key concerns for multiplayer play.

• The rollout is limited for now to select TV models and regions, with wider availability planned down the line.

• So far, the initial lineup leans toward social, party-style games rather than deep single-player experiences; hardcore gamers may have to wait.

• Using a phone as the controller makes joining easy, but lacks the tactile feedback and precision of a dedicated gamepad, something to watch if Netflix expands into more demanding game genres.

Netflix’s co-CEO gave the gaming effort a B-minus, which reflects just how much headroom the company has before it competes seriously with console or PC ecosystems.

Game nights just found a new home on your Netflix app

If you’re a subscriber, you might already see a “Games” tab on your TV app. If not, the rollout is still expanding. Once available, setup takes less than a minute, and everyone with a phone can join in, no console, no additional cost.

It’s a convenient alternative for casual game nights or family gatherings, especially around the holidays. Think of it as Netflix’s version of board games on demand.

For more serious gamers, the feature won’t replace console or cloud gaming yet. But Netflix has hinted that future updates will include bigger franchises and possibly titles based on its own hits like Stranger Things and Squid Game.

Netflix is trying to break Hollywood’s long-running gaming curse

This is also a test for Hollywood’s long-standing “gaming curse.” Many studios, from Disney to Warner Bros., have tried to turn their film success into gaming empires, often with mixed results.

Netflix hopes its different DNA will help: it’s a tech platform first, with a direct line to hundreds of millions of devices already online. That advantage could let it distribute games faster and collect performance feedback instantly.

If Netflix succeeds, other streaming platforms could follow. Imagine Hulu or Disney+ integrating interactive shows and games next. It’s a small but potentially pivotal moment for entertainment’s next evolution, from watching to participating.

Quick checklist if you want to try Netflix games on TV

• Make sure your TV or streaming stick supports the latest Netflix app.

• Update your Netflix mobile app (and download the Game Controller app on iOS if needed).

• Scan the QR code shown when selecting a game.

• Keep your phone charged; it’s your controller.

• For the best experience, maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Netflix is turning the TV into a social gaming hub

Netflix’s gaming expansion isn’t flashy, but it’s smart. It uses what the company already dominates, access to your TV and subscription base, to test a low-risk, high-engagement feature.

Here is what we know so far:

• Netflix’s move into TV-based gaming marks its boldest step yet beyond streaming.

• The company is betting on accessibility, social play, and interactivity to stand out.

• Early offerings focus on fun, low-pressure party games to attract casual players.

• Technical challenges like latency and limited rollout still need work.

• If successful, Netflix could redefine home entertainment, turning passive viewers into active participants.

For now, this is Netflix’s next experiment in keeping people glued to its platform, not just to watch, but to play. The next time you open Netflix and scroll past your queue, you might pause and realize that “Game Night” has officially moved to your TV.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.