Netflix wants a piece of Rockstar Games as it eyes GTA series to save sinking games division

There is a possibility that we might get to see the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI title launch on Netflix, not as a show or a movie as part of its Netflix Originals, but as a video game.

Netflix is reportedly in discussions with Rockstar Games for a potential licensing agreement to bring the widely popular Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise to its streaming platform,

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the over-the-top (OTT) giant is collaborating closely with Rockstar Games to integrate “Grand Theft Auto (GTA)” titles into the gaming section of the Netflix app.

Netflix began venturing into the world of mobile gaming in 2021, introducing several games based on its highly acclaimed shows. As per the WSJ report, the streaming behemoth has already invested more than $1 billion in mobile video games, featuring titles like Ghost Detective, Vikings, Love is Blind, and more.

Netflix is now considering the addition of “higher-end” games, AAA titles, to its ever-expanding content library. This is where the Grand Theft Auto franchise comes into play. However, it remains uncertain whether Netflix intends to offer these titles as part of its existing subscription or if they will be available for standalone purchases.

The exact nature of Netflix’s plans for the GTA franchise remains unclear. It is uncertain whether the platform will feature existing GTA games or develop mobile spin-offs of the popular titles. Notably, games like GTA typically require consoles and high-performance PCs whenever they launch. This suggests that Netflix might be exploring cloud gaming services as well, although there have been no reports or rumours around this.

While Netflix’s foray into gaming has yet to achieve significant success, the platform has garnered over 70 million downloads spanning approximately 70 game titles. However, in the competitive world of video games, particularly when considering renowned titles like GTA 5, this number may appear relatively modest.

Plus, it faces some seriously stiff competition from platforms like Epic Games, and the market leader, Steam, which currently accounts for 70 per cent of all legal PC game downloads around the world. Even when pirated games are taken into account, Steam still comes out ahead at 50 per cent market share, beating out many popular piracy sites

Hence, a potential partnership with Rockstar Games could be a strategic move for Netflix to expand its gaming user base and offer more compelling gaming experiences to its subscribers.