Netflix Games is mapping out a new path for its video game business after facing recent setbacks including leadership changes, studio closures, and layoffs. During a presentation in San Francisco, Netflix Games president Alain Tascan and VP of games Jeet Shroff outlined their plans to transform the streaming company’s gaming division.
“We are not yet the Netflix of Games, but that’s exactly where we’re heading,” said Tascan, who replaced Mike Verdu as Netflix’s gaming chief in July 2024.
Tascan believes the gaming industry has hit a plateau and needs a shake-up. “Over the last 10 years, we haven’t seen a lot of disruption in terms of format and gameplay,” he pointed out. “If we keep doing the same stuff, we’ll probably get the same results.”
According to reporting from GameDeveloper, the streaming giant plans to roll out unique “Only on Netflix” gaming experiences by the end of 2025. These games will come at no extra cost to Netflix subscribers (similar model they used with the recent Squid Game). Tascan wants to create “new ways to play and new ways to experience stories” by mixing traditional content with interactive features.
Shroff mentioned that Netflix Games is taking cues from hit titles like Fortnite. “You’ll see us doing things that feel familiar, but then we’ll push them into unexpected territory,” he explained. This approach will balance well-known properties like Squid Game and Grand Theft Auto with fresh games like Spirit Crossing, a life simulator recently announced by Netflix’s studio Spry Fox.
The company is pretty excited about developing “party games” for the living room, using smartphones as controllers. “With smartphones, you have a second screen, a gyroscope, a speaker – so many ways to interact,” Shroff said, explaining how these features can create fun social gaming experiences.
Netflix Games also wants to become a go-to place for kids’ games, targeting the 15% of Netflix users who already watch children’s content. Tascan thinks offering parents a “safe space” with quality games will be a big win for the platform.
As reported by Mobilegamer.biz, the executives aren’t thinking small – they want to reach “hundreds of millions of people” with their games. Tascan was refreshingly honest when he admitted that anything less would risk making Netflix Games just a “distraction” for the company.
In a Q&A session after the presentation, Tascan acknowledged they’re not satisfied with their progress so far. He mentioned problems with “discovery friction, app store friction for mobile, and subscription friction.”
When asked about releasing games on consoles, Tascan wondered if younger players even want traditional gaming devices anymore, noting that Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox fans are used to playing across different platforms.
The team revealed that Finnish studio Next Games is testing a new puzzle game, and several titles based on Netflix shows like The Electric State are in development.
As Netflix Games moves ahead with its ambitious plans, Tascan hopes their success will benefit the whole gaming industry, creating what he calls a “blue sky in a place where there are dark clouds.”
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