Netflix is enriching its game catalog with an intriguing new creation. During the company’s quarterly earnings announcement, Netflix revealed plans to launch a multiplayer game inspired by “Squid Game.” The release date of this game will be synchronized with that of the second season of the famous K-drama. Although we don’t have details on the type of game yet, we can assume that it will take on the children’s games that the contestants participate in to survive on the series.
The program has already given rise to several derivatives for the streaming service. After season 1 became an international phenomenon in 2021, Netflix created a virtual reality version as well as an in-person pop-up experience in Los Angeles, based on the fictional reality show. The company also teamed up with a British production company to create “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a real reality TV show that, thankfully, is much less deadly than its inspiration.
Another observation from the quarterly report highlights the growing importance of ads for Netflix. The ad-supported subscription tier represents 45% of new signups in markets where this option is available. This plan has only been offered for about 18 months, and its audience has already increased by 34% during the second quarter of 2024.
Part of this change is due to the phasing out of the base plan option; it has already been removed in Canada and the United Kingdom, and the United States and France are next on the list.