Netflix will make its biggest push into the gaming industry so far with the debut of “FIFA World Cup Launch Edition” June 11.
Created by “007 First Light” developer Delphi Interactive and Netflix Games in collaboration with FIFA, “FIFA World Cup” is described as a “streamlined football simulation game” that just requires having Netflix queued up on your TV and a phone to act as your controller.
Essentially, it’s meant to be way more beginner friendly than the “FIFA” games produced throughout FIFA’s long-running, now-ended partnership with game publishing giant Electronic Arts.
The game will be released in correlation with the kick off the real-life FIFA Men’s World Cup on June 11, and will allow users to play as any of the 48 teams in the tournament, play at any of the 16 real-world stadiums, and take control of any of the 1,248 players in the Cup.
Netflix tells Variety the game will be updated daily throughout the World Cup with new challenges and features tied into the real events and results of the tournament.
Like all of Netflix’s other game offerings, the game is free with a Netflix subscription and does not feature any in-game purchases. The game rewards you with in-game currency based on your playing habits and daily challenge completion with coins that can then be spent to boost the stats of your team members.
“‘FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition‘ is a new direction for FIFA football games that celebrates the emotion and joy of the sport,” Netflix said in a blog post revealing the game’s release date and trailer Thursday. “It’s fast, fluid and fun with friends (up to four players) — no matter how familiar you are with video games or football.”
At launch, Netflix says the game will take over every subscribers home screen — giving it the widest possible marketing campaign — and users will instantly be able to play after scanning the QR code with their phone.
Following the conclusion of this year’s World Cup, the game will continue to “evolve over time,” with plans for additions tied to next year’s Women’s World Cup.
A limited test of the game will begin in Brazil Thursday with full rollout set for June 11 across all territories that support Netflix’s games on TV feature, including: US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland.
Watch the trailer for Netflix’s “FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition” below.