Streaming giant Netflix Inc NFLX has been pushing for growth through several verticals in recent years, including the launch of mobile games and adding more reality shows.
Those two worlds now intersect with Netflix launching interactive versions of its hit reality shows.
What Happened: Netflix added 9.33 million global paid subscribers in the first quarter. In the highly competitive streaming market, Netflix looks to maintain its lead and add new customers and keep the ones it has.
New verticals like video games have helped in this effort.
While Netflix made headlines for adding licensed games like the Grand Theft Auto franchise, the company has also launched interactive fiction games based on some of its reality series.
"Expanding the worlds of beloved Netflix series and films is our greatest opportunity in games," Netflix Head of External Games Leanne Loombe wrote in a recent blog post.
In a recent interview with The Verge, Loombe said Netflix's interactive fiction games are working.
"We've seen a lot of success with interactive fiction games like ‘Selling Sunset,' ‘Perfect Match' and ‘The Ultimatum,'" Loombe said.
Loombe said the interactive fiction games provide a seamless connection between the TV show and game.
"Unscripted reality shows are really great because it has that fantasy element. Players are able to pretend to be one of those characters and play that fantasy out like a choose your own adventure and a romance novel combined."
The report said that "Too Hot to Handle," a game based on the Netflix series of the same name has drawn a dedicated community on Reddit thanks to its deep customization system that sees fans sharing their latest avatars.
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Why It's Important: Netflix has over 100 games available for subscribers. Some of the latest games added or coming to the library include those based on hit reality series such as "Too Hot to Handle," "The Ultimatum," "Selling Sunset" and "Perfect Match."
Netflix plans to launch the games alongside new seasons of the series in a move to help with interaction between the game and show.
Reality series have been a staple on network television and are increasingly finding a place on streaming networks.
As Netflix looks to expand its streaming lead, the launch of new seasons of reality series and interactive games could continue to show that the streaming company is one step ahead of the competition and has a massive scale that can't be topped.
NFLX Price Action: Netflix shares trade at $652.25 on Thursday versus a 52-week trading range of $344.73 to $664.25. Netflix stock is up 62% over the past year.
Photo: Netflix
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