Nairobi – American subscription-based on-demand video streaming platform Netflix will reportedly add games to its subscription service sometime in 2022.
According to sources, the California-based company recently hired Mike Verdu, formerly of EA and Facebook’s Oculus VR gaming platform, as “vice president of game development.” Verdu previously worked on Sims, Plants vs. Zombies, and RTS Command & Conquer 3.
This would mean that Netflix will have Netflix Original video games developed in-house, rather than just licensing out games from other studios.
Kotaku notes that the company will, however, probably launch its own games alongside other licensed titles, as is tradition.
Netflix allegedly plans are to offer video games on its streaming platform within the next year, with the company not planning to charge extra for gaming content.
A quick look at Netflix’s career section also shows the platform is currently looking for team members to join its dev operations headed by Verdu.
The company looks to use video games to lure new potential customers and also offer something none of its direct competitors currently provide. Disney and Amazon currently have an edge in that they offer live sports coverage, something Netflix doesn’t have.
And of course, the move will also be used by the entertainment giant to justify price increases in the coming years.
Other companies have tried and failed to make streaming video games work. Google for instance said in February that it was done making video games barely two years after launching Stadia, its new game platform. Amazon’s “Crucible,” and the luna streaming video game platform also flopped
Netflix will either have to produce a console, use an existing system. Netflix shares gained as much as 3.3% to $566 in late trading after the news broke.
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