Conversations are buzzing about how generative AI is shaping the entertainment world, including movies, TV shows, music, and games.
Recently, Mike Verdu shared on LinkedIn that he’s now the VP of GenAI for Games at Netflix, a role he’s excited to explore.
“At long last, I am ready to talk about what I’m doing next: I am working on driving a ‘once in a generation’ inflection point for game development and player experiences using generative AI,” the post read. “This transformational technology will accelerate the velocity of development and unlock truly novel game experiences that will surprise, delight, and inspire players.”
Reflecting on his journey, Verdu shared how thrilled he is about the future of gaming, comparing his excitement to the vibrant 1990s era of game-making. Back then, creative minds painted a picture of what was possible, and Verdu feels we’re stepping back into such an era of boundless opportunities and fast-paced breakthroughs.
But amidst all these buzzwords, it’s intriguing that Verdu is diving into gaming, especially after Netflix closed Team Blue, a studio they owned, just last month. This closure led to 35 people losing their jobs, despite their work on famous games like Halo, God of War, and Call of Duty. Interestingly, Verdu claims it was all part of the master plan.
“Pay no mind to the uninformed speculation in the media about the changes in Netflix Games,” he added. “What you’ve seen over the last several months was actually a planned transition.”
Sometimes, fans just have to trust the process even when things look shaky.
Although he has yet to set any specific plans, Verdu emphasizes his commitment to a “creator-first” approach. While Team Blue is no longer around, Netflix still has other game studios like Night School, Next Games, Spry Fox, and Boss Fight Entertainment. They boast over 80 games in their collection, with exciting titles like Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game on the horizon.
