Netflix is planning an expansion into video games. Not satisfied with dominating young consumers’ media consumption (and starting trends in the process), the streaming service is reportedly stepping into video game content, hiring Mike Verdu as its new vice president of game development. Verdu has worked on games like the Sims, Plants vs. Zombies, and Star Wars franchises as a former executive at Electronic Arts. Netflix’s goal is to offer video games on its platform within the next year, and the content will appear as a new genre amongst its current TV show and film offerings. YPulse’s gaming research found that 94% of young people play video games in some capacity. Netflix’s move into gaming is a major opportunity for the brand to expand its foray into interactive programming that it has been experimenting with through shows like Black Mirror and by licensing the rights to video games based on Stranger Things. (Bloomberg)
