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Tag: Netflix Games

  • Netflix Ramping Up Game Production With Its First AAA PC Title

    Netflix Ramping Up Game Production With Its First AAA PC Title

    Netflix is wading deeper into the gaming market, with a job posting revealing it is planning to release its first AAA PC game title.

    Netflix posted the requirements for a Game Director role on its website:

    We’re looking for a creative and highly-skilled Game Director to help us forge the game direction and creative vision on a brand-new AAA PC game. As Game Director, you will be the creative leader of one of Netflix’s first generation of internally developed original games.

    The streaming TV company launched its game service in late 2021, focusing on mobile gaming for Android, iOS, and iPadOS. The company has hired top talent, including former EA exec Mike Verdu and launched its own internal game studio.

    Despite the company’s investment, its gaming efforts have yet to gain much traction. In fact, as recently as August 2022, 99% of Netflix customers had never tried one of the company’s games.

    Netflix no doubt hopes that branching out into the wider PC market, with a blockbuster AAA title no less, may get the attention it needs to make its gaming platform a success.

  • Netflix Is Launching Its Own Internal Game Studio

    Netflix Is Launching Its Own Internal Game Studio

    Netflix is doubling down on gaming, launching its own game studio to take development in-house.

    Netflix began offering mobile games in late 2021. The company had been gearing up to offer the service for months, even hiring former Electronic Arts executive Mike Verdu to head up its efforts.

    The company is taking a step further with plans to launch its own internal game studio, giving the company the ability to build out its own catalog of games rather than relying exclusively on third parties.

    “Today, I’m excited to announce that we are establishing an internal games studio in Helsinki, Finland, with Marko Lastikka as the studio director,” writes Amir Rahimi, VP of Game Studios. “This is another step in our vision to build a world-class games studio that will bring a variety of delightful and deeply engaging original games — with no ads and no in-app purchases — to our hundreds of millions of members around the world.”

    The company chose Helsinki specifically because of the broad talent pool available there. Rahimi continues:

    “Why Helsinki? It is home to some of the best game talent in the world. This will be a games studio that we build from scratch, and our second games studio in Helsinki alongside Next Games, which became part of Netflix earlier this year. Along with Night School Studio and Boss Fight Entertainment, these four studios, each with different strengths and focus areas, will develop games that will suit the diverse tastes of our members.”

    Netflix clearly hopes that building its own games will help it gain a competitive advantage, and, truth be told, the company needs it. According to a recent report, roughly 99% of the company’s customers have never tried its games. Perhaps games that are more customized to its user base will gain more traction.

  • Netflix Has a Gaming Problem

    Netflix Has a Gaming Problem

    Netflix appears to have a gaming problem, with the overwhelming majority of its users not embracing the new feature.

    Netflix has been looking for ways to continue growing its subscriber base and keep existing users from jumping ship to competing platforms. As part of that effort, the company bet big on gaming, hiring former EA Exec Mike Verdu and scooping up the Night School Studio game studio.

    According to Apptopia, via CNBC, it doesn’t seem like the company’s gamble is paying off, with 99% of its customers having never tried its games. Out of 221 million subscribers, Netflix’s games are only averaging 1.7 million daily users and have only been downloaded 23.3 million times.

    The revelation is the latest indication of the challenges Netflix faces going forward. The company recently reported its first subscriber loss in almost a decade and is moving to roll out an ad-supported plan to help drive customer growth.

    Netflix is also looking at options to monetize account sharing and has recently laid off an additional 300 employees. It remains to be seen if the company’s investment in gaming will pay off, but so far, it’s not looking good.

  • Netflix Games Comes to iOS

    Netflix Games Comes to iOS

    Netflix has brought its Netflix Games service to iOS, including both iPhones and iPads, as the company expands its offerings.

    Netflix has been working toward entering the video game market for some time, even hiring former EA exec Mike Verdu to head up its efforts. The company said its mobile game service would be ad-free and available at no extra cost.

    Netflix Games is now available on iOS/iPadOS, roughly a week after debuting on Android.

    Starting today, members everywhere can play five mobile games: Stranger Things: 1984 (BonusXP), Stranger Things 3: The Game (BonusXP), Shooting Hoops (Frosty Pop), Card Blast (Amuzo & Rogue Games), and Teeter Up (Frosty Pop). Whether you’re craving a casual game you can start from scratch or an immersive experience that lets you dig deeper into your favorite stories, we want to begin to build a library of games that offers something for everyone. We’re in the early days of creating a great gaming experience, and we’re excited to take you on this journey with us.