Netflix has unveiled new mobile game titles, including some derived from the streamer’s popular shows. Games developed from “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Too Hot to Handle” and “Shadow and Bone” join a gaming lineup that Netflix hopes to grow from an existing library of 22 to at least 50 titles by December, the company revealed at its annual Geeked Week virtual event, which wrapped on Friday. The games are available on iOS and Android, requiring users to authenticate their Netflix accounts. The streamer also introduced game-inspired animated series, including “The Cuphead Show!” and “Sonic Prime.” Continue reading Netflix Builds-Out Its Game Portfolio and Unveils New Series

At yesterday’s Xbox briefing, Microsoft took a different approach by focusing its entire E3 presentation on games. Traditionally, the event has included other media functionality of Xbox hardware, but this year Phil Spencer, the new head of Xbox, noted that changes to strategy were necessary for the Xbox One — changes initiated by user response to the (formerly) always-online, DRM-heavy console. The event included major titles, trailers of previously announced games and a slate of indie titles. Continue reading E3 2014: Microsoft Places Emphasis on Games at Xbox Event

A significant threat to the video game industry is harassment targeting game developers from gamers. Video game fan obsession has led to death threats among game developers, forcing them to leave their positions or the industry as a whole. Many fault the anonymous nature of the Internet, and others see the immediate availability to voice one’s complaints or gain notoriety. Groups look to support developers as threats become more commonplace. Continue reading Game Developers: Harassment Alarms Industry, Fuels Exodus