Netflix is continuous its enlargement into gaming by opening a brand new improvement studio in Southern California.
In keeping with TechCrunch, Netflix’s VP of gaming, Mike Verdu, mentioned this new studio will embrace former Blizzard vp and Overwatch boss Chako Sonny on the helm.
“He might have completed something, however he selected to come back right here,” mentioned Verdu. “You don’t get individuals like that coming to your group to construct the subsequent large factor in gaming except there’s a way that we’re actually in it for the lengthy haul and in it for the suitable causes.”
The net streaming big is trying to enhance its foothold in gaming, and may even look to create its personal cloud gaming service.
“It’s a price add,” mentioned Verdu. “We’re not asking you to subscribe as a console alternative. It’s a very totally different enterprise mannequin. The hope is over time that it simply turns into this very pure solution to play video games wherever you might be.”
In fact, Netflix wouldn’t be the primary to strive streaming video video games. Google Stadia tried simply that, permitting customers entry to a library of video video games with out a PC or video games console, utilizing simply the Stadia machine and repair. Sadly, it struggled to outlive, and with dwindling numbers, Google introduced it is going to shutter Google Stadia by January 2023.
However Netflix doesn’t imagine Stadia itself failed, simply its enterprise mannequin. “Stadia was a technical success,” mentioned Verdu. “It was enjoyable to play video games on Stadia. It had some points with the enterprise mannequin, certain.” Though Google Stadia used a devoted controller, Verdu wouldn’t verify whether or not or not this is able to be the case for Netflix’s personal cloud gaming service.
Whereas Netflix has been experimenting with gaming for a while, plainly lower than one % of Netflix subscribers truly play their video games.
There are at the moment 35 video games accessible to obtain by way of Netflix, with one other 55 at the moment on their manner, together with these primarily based on unique IPs corresponding to Stranger Issues, in addition to licensed video games, corresponding to Spongebob Squarepants. What sport Netflix’s new studio will produce first stays to be seen.
Wish to learn extra about Netflix? Try how Netflix goals to create the perfect gaming service within the trade 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 may observe him on Twitter.