Netflix is constant its growth into gaming by opening a brand new improvement studio in Southern California.
In line with TechCrunch, Netflix’s VP of gaming, Mike Verdu, stated this new studio will embody former Blizzard vice chairman and Overwatch boss Chako Sonny on the helm.
“He may have executed something, however he selected to come back right here,” stated Verdu. “You don’t get folks like that coming to your group to construct the subsequent huge factor in gaming except there’s a way that we’re actually in it for the lengthy haul and in it for the correct causes.”
The net streaming large is seeking to improve its foothold in gaming, and would possibly even look to create its personal cloud gaming service.
“It’s a price add,” stated Verdu. “We’re not asking you to subscribe as a console substitute. It’s a totally totally different enterprise mannequin. The hope is over time that it simply turns into this very pure solution to play video games wherever you’re.”
In fact, Netflix wouldn’t be the primary to attempt streaming video video games. Google Stadia tried simply that, permitting customers entry to a library of video video games with no PC or video games console, utilizing simply the Stadia machine and repair. Sadly, it struggled to outlive, and with dwindling numbers, Google introduced it should shutter Google Stadia by January 2023.
However Netflix doesn’t imagine Stadia itself failed, simply its enterprise mannequin. “Stadia was a technical success,” stated Verdu. “It was enjoyable to play video games on Stadia. It had some points with the enterprise mannequin, positive.” Though Google Stadia used a devoted controller, Verdu wouldn’t verify whether or not or not this might be the case for Netflix’s personal cloud gaming service.
Whereas Netflix has been experimenting with gaming for a while, evidently lower than one p.c of Netflix subscribers really play their video games.
There are at present 35 video games accessible to obtain by way of Netflix, with one other 55 at present on their manner, together with these primarily based on authentic IPs comparable to Stranger Issues, in addition to licensed video games, comparable to Spongebob Squarepants. What recreation Netflix’s new studio will produce first stays to be seen.
Need to learn extra about Netflix? Take a look at how Netflix goals to create the very best gaming service within the business and discover out extra about Netflix’s different new video games studio in Finland.
Ryan Leston is an leisure journalist and movie critic for IGN. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter.