Netflix and Telltale Games are teaming up and collaborating this fall, but the streaming giant is saying it’s not getting into video games just yet.
Netflix revealed on Tuesday that a version of Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode will find its way to the streaming platform this fall. They also announced that a video game adaptation of the hit series Stranger Things is currently in development.
Telltale is famous for turning The Walking Dead into an episodic video game, and it seems likely that a Stranger Things game would follow a similar route. Its Minecraft: Story Mode follows a similar format, with a story taking place in the block-shaped world following a character named Jesse, who explores and attempts to save the world. According to TechRadar, the Netflix version of Minecraft: Story Mode will be told in five parts and be “delivered via video files and will accept commands via any remote equipped with directional and select buttons.”
Few details were available right away, but according to Polygon, a Telltale rep confirmed that the Stranger Things video game that will come to consoles and PC.
“We’re delighted by the response we’re seeing to the idea of Minecraft: Story Mode coming to Netflix in the fall as an interactive adventure, and separately, we’re thrilled to confirm that Telltale is developing a game based on Stranger Things that we’ll publish to consoles and computers at a later date,” the Telltale rep said. “Our partnership with Netflix is something we’re incredibly proud of, and while we don’t have anything more to share right now, we’re excited to reveal details on these projects later in the year.”
While Story Mode appearing on Netflix is a nudge into the gaming market, Netflix representatives were cautious about letting speculation that the streaming behemoth is getting into video games go too far. A company rep told Tech Radar, who first reported the news, that the Stranger Things game will not appear on Netflix and is merely “part of our marketing and title promotion efforts.” And Minecraft: Story Mode appearing on Netflix is simply another way to do “storytelling” on the platform.
“We don’t have any plans to get into gaming,” a Netflix rep told Tech Radar. “There’s a broad spectrum of entertainment available today. Games have become increasingly cinematic, but we view this as interactive narrative storytelling on our service.”
It will be interesting to see what kind of not-game Telltale Games comes up with for Netflix, but it doesn’t appear that interest in Minecraft will wain anytime soon. Whatever hits the service this fall, people will play watch it.
(Via Polygon / Tech Radar)