How Ex Machina Built the Platform Behind Netflix’s Best Guess Live

INTRODUCTION

Powering Netflix’s Live Mobile Game Show

Ex Machina collaborated with Apploff Entertainment and Netflix to design and deliver the full technical platform that powers Best Guess Live. The platform includes the real-time gameplay logic, the server architecture, and the iOS and Android applications. Built on our PlayTwo framework and integrated with Livery’s synchronized low latency streaming and AI real-time subtitles, the system supports reliable large-scale concurrency, multiple third-party integrations, and synchronized interactions across all players.

Developing the Platform Behind Netflix’s Best Guess Live

Best Guess Live is a weekday mobile game show that fits in your pocket. You compete in real time against other real players for your share of thousands of dollars in real money. Hosted by Hunter March and Howie Mandel, the game gives you five clues, which last 20 seconds each — but you’ll only get one chance to answer. If your answer is wrong, you’re out for the rest of that puzzle, but answer correctly on the earliest clue and you share the winnings.

OBJECTIVE

Developing a Scalable Live Mobile Game Show Platform

Ex Machina set out to deliver a robust technical foundation capable of powering real-time gameplay at scale. Best Guess Live required a platform that could handle fast-paced gameplay, synchronize thousands of players, integrate with low latency live streaming, and remain reliable under daily appointment-based traffic peaks.

Build a platform that supports Best Guess Live gameplay logic and gamification mechanics.
Support large-scale concurrency using PlayTwo’s cloud-based infrastructure.
Create an easy-to-use Producer Console to operate the live game.
Integrate with Livery’s low latency stream for a synchronized live video experience.
Develop responsive iOS and Android applications for end users.
Implement third-party integrations required for production, operations, and user management.
Provide reliable operations through monitoring, analytics, and security controls.
Maintain consistent and synchronized gameplay across all connected devices.

SOLUTION

The Best Guess Live Platform

Ex Machina developed a fully integrated technical platform built on top of the PlayTwo framework. The solution combines real-time gameplay logic, synchronized video, large-scale infrastructure, and a complete set of production tools to operate Best Guess Live reliably every weekday.

PlayTwo Real-Time Platform: Powers all gameplay logic, user management, prizes and rewards, timing, and other interactivity.
Scalable Cloud Architecture: Supports daily traffic peaks with scalable and redundant infrastructure.
Livery Low-Latency Live Streaming: Livery’s low latency video stream is synchronized between all player.
Producer Console: Easy-to-use tools to manage rehearsals, trigger clues, and operate the live game.
iOS and Android Apps: Deliver responsive and consistent user experiences on both platforms.
Third-Party Integrations: Connects with 3rd party systems for production, operations, and user management.
Monitoring and Security: Ensures stable performance with analytics and monitoring.

RESULTS

A Platform Built for Daily Live Gameshows

Ex Machina worked closely with Netflix and Apploff Entertainment to bring a new kind of daily mobile game show to life, where thousands of players can join at the same moment to play Best Guess Live and compete for cash rewards.

To make this possible, we developed the Best Guess Live platform on our PlayTwo real-time framework. With scalable cloud infrastructure and synchronized low-latency video, the platform delivers a fully live game show experience directly on mobile devices.

Our approach ensures the platform can support daily live gameplay with the reliability, precision, and scalability the format demands.