Just days after Netflix reportedly shut down its AAA game studio and released high-profile talent, the company announced its ambitions to develop “truly novel game experiences” using generative AI. The news comes via LinkedIn, where Mike Verdu, formerly the VP of Netflix Games and now head of the new “GenAI for Games” division, revealed his latest project.
In the post, Verdu expresses excitement about his role in this “once in a generation” opportunity to revolutionize gaming with AI. “At long last, I am ready to talk about what I’m doing next: I am working on driving a ‘once in a generation’ inflection point for game development and player experiences using generative AI,” he wrote, describing AI’s potential to change game creation and engagement fundamentally. Verdu said this technology will “accelerate the velocity of development” and introduce “truly novel game experiences that will surprise, delight, and inspire players.”
Despite this enthusiasm, the announcement comes amid uncertainty. Netflix recently closed its AAA game studio, parting ways with prominent figures like Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny and God of War Ragnarok art director Rafael Grassetti. This shake-up left many wondering how Netflix plans to advance in gaming without such talent. However, Verdu assures that the AI-driven approach will adopt a “creator-first” philosophy. He elaborates, “I am focused on a creator-first vision for AI, one that puts creative talent at the center, with AI being a catalyst and an accelerant.”
The “creator-first” focus empowers large and small development teams. Verdu emphasizes how AI will benefit game creators across scales: “AI will enable big game teams to move much faster and will also put an almost unimaginable collection of new capabilities in the hands of developers in smaller game teams.” According to him, Netflix’s AI division has been in the works for some time, and its implementation isn’t a reaction to recent events, as some in the media have speculated.
Verdu addresses concerns surrounding the recent studio closures and workforce changes in his post. “Pay no mind to the uninformed speculation in the media about the changes in Netflix Games,” he states. What you’ve seen over the last several months was a planned transition.” For Verdu, this restructuring and pivot to generative AI represent a calculated step toward reshaping game development rather than an unexpected setback.
While the plan sounds ambitious, many are left wondering how Netflix will execute this vision and what form its “GenAI for Games” will ultimately take. With AI as a core component of Netflix’s gaming strategy, Verdu’s aim appears to be to make innovative games and carve out a lasting influence on the gaming industry—his “dent in the universe,” as he describes it. Only time will reveal how this experimental approach pans out and whether Netflix can deliver the groundbreaking experiences Verdu promises.