Amazon’s gaming platform, Luna, is included with Prime. Those who have a Prime Video subscription can create, play or even battle with friends online. If you don’t have any games yet, they can be purchased through the Ubisoft store, with a rotating selection of games. With that being said, does Luma have a chance of being able to compete with Netflix? Or are they already trailing behind?
Source: Pexels
Netflix is Making Waves in the Gaming Market
Netflix first dabbled in interactive titles, such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. In 2021 however, they decided to make gaming their priority. They hired a former executive of EA, and let people play a huge selection of mobile games for free. Since then, Netflix’s gaming arm has launched gamertags as well as developing AAA PC games.
Although games are somewhat limited right now, gamers seeking something new can play Sugar Rush at Paddy Power Bingo through the dedicated app, with incentives such as free spins and bonuses to take advantage of. With competition being so fierce within the gaming market, Netflix is constantly looking for ways to draw in new users. As most people who have a Netflix subscription have yet to play games on the platform, it seems that more has to be done to draw users in. Creating exclusive titles is one way they are doing this, but with Amazon’s Luma offering such convenience, the company needs to push bigger and bolder investments.
Source: Pexels
Ubisoft is Working with both Amazon and Netflix
Ubisoft, although connected with Amazon’s Luna, has also announced that they are developing several games for Netflix. This includes titles that are to accompany new live-action series that are currently in the works. Although Netflix is still working on its cloud gaming service, this could make games easier to play and available across a bigger range of devices. It was announced in October that Netflix is seriously exploring cloud gaming as a service and that although they are in the early stages of their journey, they do see a future where access to games is frictionless.
One major difference between Netflix’s and Amazon’s approach is the fact that Amazon is trying to build on an already established market. They are offering titles that are already popular with established companies. Netflix on the other hand is trying to build a standalone gaming platform, with exclusive titles that should help them to capitalize on niche markets. Although Netflix’s approach is bolder, it could well help them to gain the edge should the company cement itself as a competitive name in the market.
Exclusive games that can be played at Netflix and nowhere else could garner the company huge amounts of loyal fans. Amazon, however, is vying for a piece of the market that is already being split across a multitude of platforms. Loyalty isn’t their focus, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t a dominating force in the market. The mass adoption of Amazon Prime, and their sub-platform, Prime Video could well help Luna to overcome current competition.
