Netflix says its critically-panned FIFA World Cup video game was a 'top tier' performer

So, Netflix is claiming its FIFA World Cup video game has been a hit, despite nearly every review saying it’s a swing and a miss. Isn't that the gaming world in a nutshell? You can have the critics tearing something apart, but if the players are having fun, does it really matter?

The game launched on June 11, and according to Netflix, it delivered one of their "most successful cloud game debuts." Now, I don’t have the exact numbers—because Netflix decided to keep those under wraps—but the buzz is that FIFA is doing better than expected. That’s good news for Netflix, especially when they’ve had their fair share of flops in the gaming department.

Now, let’s be real. Critics have come down hard on this game. It’s been labeled everything from a "massive missed opportunity" to a "modern hellscape." Ouch! But here’s the kicker: Netflix’s co-CEO Greg Peters mentioned that FIFA and another title, Unhinged, are among their top performers in the cloud gaming space. So, while the reviewers may have their pitchforks out, the players seem to be giving a thumbs up.

This rise in cloud gaming is pretty intriguing. Peters shared that since Netflix ramped up its cloud initiative, they've seen a whopping 11x increase in monthly active players. That’s not just a blip; it’s a trend. And remember, this is all happening while Netflix is still figuring out how to play in the gaming arena, having shuttered a few studios in the past.

While Netflix might be keeping their metrics close to the chest, they’re clearly not backing down. They’re banking on cloud gaming as a way to put more chips on the table, and I can’t blame them. After all, if you’re looking to grab a piece of the gaming pie, you gotta have a plan, even if it seems a little shaky at first.

“While off a small base, these early signals give us increasing confidence that we are building a foundation with exciting future growth potential.”

Honestly, this feels like a classic case of "if it’s fun, it doesn’t matter what the critics say." Gamers are notoriously fickle, and while the critics might not be on board, if players are picking it up and enjoying it, Netflix has something to build on. It’s all about that user engagement, right?

So, will FIFA become a mainstay in Netflix’s gaming lineup? I think it might. They’ve got the infrastructure to support it, and with that kind of player growth, who knows? Maybe this game will finally find its footing, or maybe it’ll just be another footnote in the ever-expanding world of gaming. Either way, it’s clear that Netflix isn’t giving up anytime soon, and I’m here for the ride.