Score one for sensationalistic article titles. I just wanted to see what that felt like. Now that I’ve lured you in, I should point out that I think the title is accurate, they don’t want to stream content to the Xbox 360. They want to stream it to everyone!
Check out the latest proof, after the jump…
Yet more information has surfaced that would indicate intent to expand their reach beyond computers and the Xbox 360. Netflix Inc. posted a job opening for “Engineering Leader — Gaming Platforms” which, if you remember what plurals are, means more than one. Other hints to their intent are tucked into their wording of what the job entails. They mention they would like someone to “help build the future of entertainment distribution” which a keen eye might take to refer to building something that doesn’t yet exist (you see the Xbox 360 distribution channel is already built; sure it could use enhancement, but we’re now compounding multiple gaming platforms with the promise of building something. Yep, the case is getting stronger for Netflix to be expanding to other platforms.
The job description goes on to say “The gaming platforms team is responsible for prototyping, testing and building the Netflix experience for gaming consoles. We’re tasked with bringing the latest generation of movie discovery and delivery technology to the gaming console platforms our growing subscribers use every day.“ Again, with the “building” and “platforms”… I’m becoming convinced here, are you?
For those skeptics, try explaining this one away… “We seek deep experience developing and testing media rich applications on current generation gaming consoles.” Again, note the plural on “consoles.” What a coup it would be for Netflix to establish a presence across all current platforms. The rumors have really been flying, even asking if you’d be willing to use a boot disc to watch Netflix streamed movies. For what it’s worth, I asked my coworker Michael what he thought about using a boot disc to watch Netflix streamed movies on the PS3 and he said “That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard in my life” and his buddy Samir agreed “Yes, this is horrible, this idea.”
I can only assume the idea of a “streaming disc” is to circumvent some contractual agreement they must have signed with Microsoft when bringing their offering to the Xbox 360. Hopefully this is a timed issue that will eventually expire because in this day and age people won’t stand for artificially introduced complications and hindrances like that, it would simply never take off. I’m sure Netflix is hoping to expand their market as much as possible and would love to get their hooks in the Wii’s install base solely considering its size.
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The Wii boot disc question was legit.
The PS3 boot disc question was photoshopped.
Source: myself. I took that Netflix survey that had that Wii question in it and there was nothing about the PS3.
Maybe when the Wii gets video streaming off disc (aka DVD playback – 1996 says “hi”), online streaming will be a possibility.
@Keith
Would you really use DVD playback on the Wii, Keith? Be honest. And if you say yes, would you have been willing to pay the extra $5-10 it would have cost Nintendo to pay for the DVD playback licensing fees?
If you answer yes to both of those then consider yourself unique, because EVERYONE that I know that owns a Wii already has SEVERAL DVD players (usually much better quality ones at that) already in their home and therefore wouldn’t ever even consider using the Wii as a movie player.
Take me for instance, I have EIGHT DVD players in my house that ALL produce a much better picture and sound than the Wii can. I know because I have the homebrew channel installed that let me install the DVD playback capability just to test it out. I’ve even tested a $20 DVD player from Walmart that looks and sounds better than the Wii.
Does everyone include CANADA?! Screw other gaming platforms! I think it sucks that Netfilx is a US only feature on XBL. We barely get movies on our dashboard. Lame i tell you. >:\
@Yousty
No. I don’t watch DVDs on any of the numerous DVD-based devices I own. DVDs are ugly. Ugly I say!
That said, I don’t play Wii either. Wii is ugly. ugly I say!
@Yousty: Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but you don’t know you took every survey do you? I only ask because I take a lot of surveys from Sony and their partners due to my long membership in PSU (now dead), GAP, and just being a member of PSN but I don’t get offered every survey. I still read about surveys in Kotaku from them that was never sent to me.
I’m just saying… based on your info, the Wii aspect must be true but you don’t _know_ that the PS3 survey didn’t happen. And seeing that screenshot/Photoshop doesn’t prove anything either. I’m not saying it DID happen with 100% certainty, but I don’t think you can say it DIDN’T happen with 100% certainty either.
One thing is for sure… any implementation of Netflix streaming anywhere that requires a physical disc is going to be the butt of many jokes and the fuel for fanboy flames for a long time.
Also, one more sticking point about your last post… I just want to point out that DVD playback isn’t DVD playback isn’t DVD playback. It’s not a standard, there are different levels of quality based on each individual implementation and _software_ can make a huge difference. When hackers first added DVD playback to the original Xbox without the need for the DVD dongle (ie. remote control) it technically played DVDs, but it didn’t do as good of a job as the official implementation did. While I can’t recall sound differences, I do know picture quality and absolutely user interface/usability issues were much worse in the hackers’ offering. Just because the homebrew DVD playback on the Wii sucks, it doesn’t mean an official implementation would. Then you’ve got the whole argument that people buying Wii’s in the first place aren’t exactly rushing to the “I want the highest quality!” line, are they?
Just my opinions though.
You’re right, I can’t say for certain that that PS3 question was never asked in a Netflix survey, but I also do know that Netflix isn’t exactly the size of Sony so they don’t exactly release new surveys every week because, well, there’s only so many questions you can ask about a DVD rental service.
So I find it awfully strange that there were multiple sources when the survey with the Wii question was released, but only one source/screenshot (as far as I’ve seen) a few days later with the PS3 question. I also find it strange that it was the EXACT same wording as the Wii question except with “Nintendo Wii” replaced with “PlayStation 3.”
So no, I can’t say that it’s impossible that the PlayStation 3 question wasn’t on a Netflix survey, but common sense sure does make it seem that way, ESPECIALLY when you factor in the part about it being disc-based. That’s just ridiculous.
Why do you think the boot disc would be streaming movies from the disc? Honestly, I wondered if it might, rather, be a way to store the interface without taking up space on the internal memory.
I mean, Nintendo has gotten fullscreen video across on their own channels via internet stream… why would this be any different?
UK too please, our video marketplace is ****ing awful
I don’t think Netflix want to use a disc for people to access the streaming. Neither do I think that microsoft are blocking other consoles from having the service in their software. I think it is more to do with Sony and Nintendo blocking it as they would prefer you to use their movie services. Yes Nintendo don’t have one yet but they are working on one.
If streaming goes to the PS3 it will be awesome! hopefully with some common ground this will start up options when it comes to cross platform communities.