Netflix is committed to its gaming endeavors, with co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressing confidence that the company will still be involved in the industry in five years. Speaking at the Screentime event, Sarandos indicated that Netflix's current mobile gaming offerings serve as a "gateway to cloud gaming," a domain the company is "much more interested in."
Netflix currently provides a selection of mobile games, including titles like Red Dead Redemption and Sonic Mania Plus, accessible to subscribers without ads. The company also offers streaming games playable on televisions, often geared towards family and group experiences. Previously, Netflix explored developing its own AAA games, even hiring industry veterans, but later scaled back these efforts, leading to speculation about its long-term gaming strategy.
Sarandos suggested that cloud gaming aligns with a "post-console world," envisioning a future where dedicated gaming hardware becomes less prevalent due to rising costs and global economic factors. This outlook mirrors sentiments from other industry leaders, such as Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, who anticipates commercial streaming within three years.
Netflix sees opportunities in extending its intellectual property and strengthening its brand value through gaming. "If people want to spend time on that screen gaming instead of watching, then we have an option for them," Sarandos stated.
Regarding potential acquisitions, Sarandos noted that Netflix does not have immediate plans to purchase large gaming companies, though he did not rule out the possibility. He cited Netflix's previous interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery as an example of pursuing strategic opportunities that align with its business goals. Netflix's preference, he indicated, is to grow organically.
Despite these ambitions, Netflix acknowledges that its gaming division is still in its early stages, with "tons more work to do." The company views gaming as a "significant market opportunity," especially as it seeks new revenue streams, with its stock having experienced a notable decline in 2026.