Netflix to add video games to stay ahead of rival streaming services, and hires an industry veteran to spearhead the move
- By adding games to its offering, probably in the next 12 months, the streaming giant would stand out from the competition and turbocharge subscriber growth
- Netflix has hired a Facebook gaming executive who previously worked on mobile games in the Sims, Plants vs. Zombies and Star Wars franchises at Electronic Arts
Marking its first big move beyond TV shows and films, Netflix is planning an expansion into video games and has hired a former Electronic Arts and Facebook executive to lead the effort.
Mike Verdu will join Netflix as vice-president of game development, reporting to chief operating officer Greg Peters, the company said. Verdu was previously Facebook’s vice-president in charge of working with developers to bring games and other content to Oculus virtual-reality headsets.
The idea is to offer video games on Netflix’s streaming platform within the next year, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The games will appear alongside current fare as a new programming genre – similar to what Netflix did with documentaries or stand-up specials. The company doesn’t currently plan to charge extra for the content, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private.
Netflix has been seeking ways to keep growing, especially in more saturated markets such as the United States. That’s included building out its kids’ programming, opening an online shop to sell merchandise, and tapping Steven Spielberg to bring more prestigious movies to its line-up.