Multiple corporations have tried their hand at streaming video games on to gamers and now streaming large Netflix is seemingly going to take a stab at it, too. Netflix VP of Gaming Mike Verdu acknowledged that the streamer was “seriously exploring a cloud gaming offering.”
As reported by TechCrunch, Verdu spoke about including on to Netflix’s present sport lineup with an possibility that streams video games on to the participant.
“It’s a value add,” he mentioned. “We’re not asking you to subscribe as a console replacement. It’s a completely different business model. The hope is over time that it just becomes this very natural way to play games where wherever you are.”
RELATED: Here Are the Netflix Games Announcements From Tudum 2022
This is odd timing, given how Google lately introduced that Stadia can be closing after nearly three years. Verdu talked about Stadia, saying that the issue wasn’t the know-how, however the enterprise mannequin itself. Stadia had a locked ecosystem the place customers had to purchase video games individually on that system and will solely stream them. Stadia Pro was later launched and was a subscription service that gave subscribers a handful of video games every month — considerably like PlayStation Plus Essential — that had been theirs so long as they saved up their subscription.
“Stadia was a technical success,” mentioned Verdu. “It was fun to play games on Stadia. It had some issues with the business model, sure.”
Verdu didn’t decide to releasing a controller, as Amazon Luna and Stadia each have their very own. However, he did say that Netflix at present has 55 video games “in flight” and is creating some unique video games. He famous that he desires to have a stability of video games which are 50% Netlfix IP. As of now, the service has just a few video games based mostly on Netflix exhibits like Nailed It! and Stranger Things, however it’s largely made up of titles from different non-Netflix properties.
MORE: Mortal Kombat RPG Announced, Will Have ‘Console Quality’ Cinematics
Verdu additionally revealed that Netflix is opening a brand new studio in California that might be led by Chacko Sonny, who was most lately at Blizzard Entertainment. Sonny left Blizzard in September 2021 amidst the varied lawsuits and allegations plaguing Activision and Blizzard. Anonymous sources informed Bloomberg that he was a “stabilizing force” and “well-respected” throughout the studio. Verdu additionally mentioned it was exceptional that Sonny was selecting to work with Netflix.
“He could have done anything, but he chose to come here,” mentioned 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.”
This is simply one other considered one of Netflix’s inner builders, as the corporate opened a up a developer in Finland and bought cellular developer Next Games and Oxenfree developer Night School.
Discussion about this post