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Game handles coming to Netflix mobile games is becoming a thing. Just in case you didn’t think Netflix mobile games were social enough. As reported by TechCrunch, Netflix has been very subtly testing the addition of a game handles feature.
So far it seems to be present in only a small number of the games available in its app. Including Into The Breach, Bowling Ballers, Mahjong Solitaire, and Heads Up!. With game handles being rolled out for Into The Breach as early as July 19 of this year. Netflix hasn’t confirmed when it plans to roll out game handles for its other mobile games but it appears the company is working on expanding the feature.
In fact game handles appear to be the first of a few new social features.
Netflix mobile game handles are the first of a few social features
Game handles seem like an appropriate first step in getting games to be more social. And while Netflix won’t confirm what additional features will be, additional social features do seem to be in development.
TechCrunch points to references within the Netflix app’s code that suggest the company is working on at least two other social features. Including the ability to send out invites to other people to play games with you. Additionally, it looks like Netflix is planning on adding leaderboards to games at some point.
Hide your Netflix identity from other players
Really what this all breaks down to is anonymity. Game handles are a way to give yourself a nickname for when playing online games. Sure, your personal IRL (in real life) friends will know you by your game handle. But others will not. With these in place, users won’t be able to see your Netflix identity. Netflix states that with the game handle applied, your Netflix name and profile icon won’t be displayed.
Those that specifically appreciate this kind of feature set from online gaming will no doubt want to make use of it. That being said it remains to be seen if handles can actually help Netflix increase its engagement for mobile games.