Entertainment

Netflix could add video games to the platform at no extra cost

It’s trying to create a metaverse

Published

July 16, 2021

Shivam Vahia

Netflix revolutionized video streaming a decade ago and has been leading the sector ever since. Now, the company plans to leverage its reach and offer video games on the platform in a bid to dominate the entertainment industry.

The streaming service currently has more than 200 million subscribers globally and hosts movies, TV shows, and documentaries. According to a Bloomberg report, video games will be added as a new genre, and many experts are stoked about its future potential.

The streaming platform hired former Electronic Arts and Facebook executive Mike Verdu to head up the project. He has worked on many projects such as The Sims, Plants vs. Zombies, and Star Wars franchises. At Facebook, he was responsible for bringing games and other content to Oculus platforms.

Over the years, Netflix has experimented with many projects that aim to complement its existing entertainment library. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch was a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style production that made the watching experience far more engaging and exciting.

It has also previously tied up with third-party developers to release a couple of Stranger Things-themed mobile games. The company has also invested heavily in Game-inspired TV shows and movies such as Dota, Castlevania, and The Witcher.

Investors are also keenly watching how Netflix can establish a metaverse — a variety of virtual experiences, environments, and assets that make up an ecosystem. In simpler words, video games, TV shows, and movies can complement each other to offer a vaster entertainment experience.

While comparing Netflix’s current ambition to Google Stadia or Microsoft xCloud may be an overstatement at the moment, the cloud gaming sector is expected to be the future. If Netflix can gradually ramp up its offerings, the platform can be a formidable competitor in the entertainment space.

Entertainment

Netflix Tudum 2023: Talent lineup, how to watch live

Featuring 100+ Netflix stars

Published

June 2, 2023

GadgetMatch

Netflix’s Global Fan Event Tudum returns with its 2023 edition happening on June 17 at the Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil.

This two-hour live spectacle will stream on 23 Netflix channels and can be accessed by millions of fans around the globe. It will be available in 10 languages.

Brazil has always been a special place for Netflix, as Tudum was born in the country in 2020 as a local event. Tickets will be distributed live for fans on the ground on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This year, the event will feature more than 100 Netflix stars, including Chris Hemsworth and of “Extraction”, Gal Gadot of “Heart Stone,” and Henry Cavill of “The Witcher.”

There will also be more special appearances from the stars of Netlfix’s hit titles, like “Stranger Things,” “Squid Game,” “Cobra Kai,” and “You.”

For the night owls and early morning persons, Tudum 2023 will stream starting at 4:30AM in the Philippines and Singapore on June 18.

Entertainment

vivo hosts Meet & Greet with Maine Mendoza

Great deals for walk-in attendees!

Published

May 25, 2023

Her

Are you a big fan of Maine Mendoza? You’re in luck! vivo is hosting a meet & greet with the actress. And you can get great vivo deals too for attending.

Aptly called Aura with Maine, the meet & greet is being hosted to showcase the vivo V27 Series which has the Aura Portrait Master feature. Maine will meet the 20 lucky winners of their Instagram challenge where users flaunted their best aura poses with their V27 Series phones. All 20 will have have a photo and TikTok opportunity with the actress.

The Aura with Maine Meet & Greet is happening at the vivo concept store in SM Megamall on May 27, 2023 (Saturday) from 4PM-6PM.

Amazing deals from vivo

Even if you’re not one of the 20 winners, you can still come out on top if you decide to go. Walk-ins at the vivo store in SM Megamall will get freebies when they purchase a V27 and/or V27e phone.

vivo V27 Series

The vivo V27 Series comes in two variants — the vivo V27e which retails for PhP 16,999, and the vivo V27 5G which is priced at PhP 24,999.

The phones have a f/1.9 IMX766V 50MP ultra-sensing main camera. This is supported by EIS+OIS dual ultra-stabilization for sharp and high-quality shots even when moving or at night.

The Aura Portrait Algorithm paves the way for impressive image and video-processing yet on a vivo smartphone for its category.

vivo V27 5G

The vivo V27 has an insanely attractive design that makes it look a tad deluxe. But beauty isn’t its only redeeming factor. With a pocket studio appeal, Aura Portrait algorithm, and a Sony IMX766V sensor together with an EIS+OIS Dual Ultra Stabilization, it has a 50-megapixel Eye AF vlogging front camera.

The vivo V27 prides itself on a combined 12GB RAM and 8GB extended RAM. It also has 256GB of internal storage. It runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 7200 and is equipped with a 4600mAh all-day battery life capable of 66W fast charging.

This article is a sponsored press release by vivo Philippines.

Entertainment

Netflix invests 2 billion dollars into more K-dramas

Over the next four years

Published

April 26, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Squid Game was a revelation for Netflix. Besides jumpstarting a new franchise for the platform, the critically acclaimed series heralded a wave of Korean content coming to the mainstream. Now, Netflix enjoys a wealth of titles from South Korea. Seeing the appeal of K-dramas, the company is now investing a lot more in Korean content.

Announced by co-CEO Ted Sarandos (via the platform’s Korean website), Netflix is investing a whopping US$ 2.5 billion in the creation of more South Korean titles. The announcement comes soon after Sarandos met with the country’s president Yoon Suk-yeol. The co-CEO believes that Korean content will still flourish and blossom over the next four years.

The upcoming infusion is double of what the platform has spent on Korean titles so far. In 2016, Netflix invested around US$ 700 million for the genre before boosting it further with US$ 500 million in 2021. Though paling in comparison to the new investment, the initial round saw the rise of globally recognized titles such as Squid Game, Physical: 100, The Glory, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Regardless, an entire platoon of K-dramas are coming to Netflix in the next few years.

No new titles were announced from the investment. However, there are South Korean titles already coming to Netflix including the upcoming second season of Squid Game. The platform is facing an upcoming change in strategy as its tentpole franchise Stranger Things is finally winding down with a definitive end.