Netflix
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Netflix is introducing party games that you play on your TV.
The games will be included with your subscription.
You'll use your phone as a controller to play.
Netflix hopes you'll pause streaming while you're with family this holiday season, but they don't want you to leave the service.
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In an announcement Thursday, the streaming giant revealed that it's rolling out a series of party games that you play on your TV screen, using your phone as a controller. The first wave of games, each one free, will include recognizable names like Boggle Party, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, LEGO Party!, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends.
Video games aren't new to Netflix. The company has offered games for a while now, including ones tied to specific releases like Happy Gilmore 2 and Stranger Things. What's unique about these new releases is the social aspect. All of the games on this list are simple to pick up and fairly intuitive, even for people who don't normally play games.
Netflix says that more games are on the way. A Bloomberg report indicated four specific target areas: games for kids, games for parties, mainstream hits, and games based on existing Netflix properties.
How to play the new Netflix games
To play, you'll need a Netflix subscription and a smart TV or streaming device (like a Roku stick). Head to the games section of Netflix and choose your game. From there, you'll see a QR code to scan. Everyone who wants to play will need the Netflix app on their phone, but it's not clear if everyone playing will need an active subscription. (I've reached out for details.)
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Since Netflix is one of the names most synonymous with streaming, it's probably going to take some time for these games to catch on. In fact, most subscribers probably didn't even know about the existing games. But if the strategy pays off, Netflix will be less streaming service and more "digital living room" where gaming, connecting, and streaming live together.