2022 has seen major changes within Netflix, most notably its recent venture into the video game industry. Following the recent additions of indie hits like OXENFREE into their growing catalog, Netflix has recently announced its largest step yet. At a TechCrunch event, Netflix’s Vice President of Gaming Mike Verdu announced the streaming services’ interest in exploring the potential of cloud gaming. Cloud gaming has become a contentious topic among the video game community, and the failed attempts by Google’s Stadia have done no favors in promoting the concept to the average gaming crowd.
According to Verdu, this new cloud gaming venture would not be a console replacement as it’s built off a different business model. Seeing how previous cloud gaming services like Stadia and Amazon’s Luna failed because of their business models, Verdu alludes that Netflix’s version will improve on where they failed. However, considering that the avenue is still in its infancy, it’s unclear where Netflix’s cloud gaming will take them.
Verdu also revealed the opening of Netflix’s newest gaming studio in Southern California to be led by Chako Sonny, former executive producer on Blizzard’s Overwatch.
“He could have done anything, but he chose to come here,” said Verdu. “You don’t get people like that coming to your organization to build the next big thing in gaming unless there’s a sense that we’re really in it for the long haul and in it for the right reasons.”
Netflix has a total of five new game studios, all focused on creating specific content through different devices. Verdu confirmed that 55 games are in its library, using original Netflix properties as well as licensed properties. Verdu hopes that their gaming library will be 50% of Netflix IP.