Multi-game subscription services, July 2023: Netflix reveals beta test, brings games to TV & PC

Ampere tracks 13 multi-game subscription services to capture catalogue changes as well as company and wider industry trends. In July 2023, key developments in the space included the following:

Netflix introduces app for gaming on TV using mobile device

Vice President of Games at Netflix, Mike Verdu released a post unveiling a new limited beta test, which will take advantage of the company’s recently released mobile app, Netflix Game Controller. The beta will be available to a small number of users in the UK and Canada to test the feasibility of bringing Netflix games to TV and PC. 

Netflix silently listed its new Netflix Game Controller on 7 August 2023, designed to allow subscribers to play games on their TV using their phone as a controller. By pairing the phone with the TV, users can play games from Netflix's collection, though at the time of publication, the app is not confirmed to be operational. The description on the Apple App Store states that the “Game Controller app pairs with your TV and allows you to play games on Netflix using your phone or mobile device.” The screenshots show a simple looking 4-button, single joystick digital controller layout.

The stated purpose of the beta is to test Netflix’s game streaming capabilities, and refine the user experience, including the quality of the Game Controller app. Verdu has also stated the streaming giant aims to develop a “ubiquitous service” with games available on every device and platform Netflix currently occupies.

Initially, two titles will be available: Oxenfree (published by Night School Studio, then acquired by Netflix in 2021) and Molehew’s Mining Adventure (Netflix Games Studios). Of these titles, only adventure game, Oxenfree, has appeared on the service before, having been added in September 2022. Interestingly, this news comes in the same month that the title’s sequel, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, has been added to the standard Netflix games catalogue.

Unlike previous cloud gaming services such as Google's Stadia, Netflix proposes that the reason they failed to work at scale wasn't technological but rather the nature of the business model. According to Verdu, Stadia's games were enjoyable, but the business aspect wasn't sustainable. Stadia required users to pay full-price to access most titles available through their proprietary service (see here for more insight on Stadia’s shutdown). Netflix takes a different approach, offering complementary games as part of its streaming subscription; this strategy comes with a focus on accessibility, reducing the effort on the part of the consumer to get their hands on a Netflix game. This will increase user engagement and make the service a more viable investment for a subscriber, come renewal day.

Xbox Game Pass shortens trial from one month to 14 days

Microsoft has cut the trial period for its £1 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass; in the past, new subscribers could enjoy a month's access to the services, but now the trial is limited to two weeks. This change came before the release of what could be the publisher’s most anticipated title of the year, Starfield. As with all new Xbox Game Studios titles, it will be available on the service immediately upon release; the tech behemoth may be hoping that users who signed up to play Starfield will transition to a paid membership sooner.

The trial changes were made shortly after price increases to Xbox Game Pass and the introduction of the Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to replace Xbox Live Gold. Game Pass Ultimate has increased from $14.99 a month to $16.99 (£12.99), similarly the base Game Pass for Console pricing has also grown from $9.99, monthly, to $10.99 (£8.99). 

Microsoft is also scrapping the Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family plan in mid-August. This was a subscription scheme that allowed the benefits of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be shared among up to five friends and family members, who may not necessarily live under the same roof. This may come to the dismay of some users, as it was considered one of Microsoft’s more popular games membership schemes, particularly among families spread across multiple households. The scheme was introduced in September 2022, and even expanded into new territories just a few months ago. 

Notably, Ubisoft+ has moved in the other direction, offering a new one-month trial of the service on both Xbox and PC platforms for the introductory price of £1. As discussed in Ampere Games’ April subscription round-up Ubisoft+ recently launched its catalogue offering on Xbox. While this inclusion caught the attention of many console gamers, Ubisoft were also subject to increased online criticism regarding the service’s steep £14.99 ($17.99) price. This trial aims to encourage users to try out their service, and while the deal has expired, as of August 9th, it offers a view into Ubisoft's strategy to transform potential console users into paying subscribers.

Catalogue activity: PlayStation Plus leads in catalogue growth

In July 2023, 137 games were added to the services tracked and 61 were removed, with the main games subscription catalogue changes in July 2023 as follows:

• PlayStation Plus has expanded its Classics Catalogue by three titles, as with the other ‘Classic’ titles on the platform, these games are exclusively available to members of the Premium subscription. The PSP-original arcade shooter, Gravity Crash Portable, has been introduced to the catalogue alongside chaotic demolition-derby Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2. The latter two are noteworthy as they coincide with the late-July premiere of the Twisted Metal TV show on Paramount. This multi-media release strategy will propel public interest in the franchise, amplifying the rumours about a new Twisted Metal game in development under Sony.
• At 27 titles, PlayStation Plus added the most content to its catalogue this month. These titles include ELEX II, Undertale, and It Takes Two, the last of which will come with a friend pass allowing players to invite someone as their co-op partner who might not own the game. Other newly included game’s offering a co-operative aspect include horde shooter World War Z, Sniper Elite 5, driving sim Snowrunner, and action-shooter The Ascent. Notably, It Takes Two is the only of these co-op titles to offer the new friend pass scheme.
• Xbox Game Pass has made noteworthy additions among the 19 titles added to the catalogue, including the return of GTA V to its service. This isn't the first time; the game was previously available in 2021 for a limited period of three months. Moreover, Xbox Game Pass has introduced new day-one titles, including Capcom's upcoming mecha-dino game, Exoprimal, featuring prehistoric creatures battling in both single-player and multi-player modes. The next day-one release was Techtonica, a first-person factory automation game set on an alien planet's surface. This title provides Xbox players with an alternative to popular PC-exclusive automation games like Satisfactory and Factorio, bringing these experiences to consoles.