Netflix will start publishing video games, has hired former EA exec

While Netflix has yet to post its own announcement about the initiative, the streaming-video provider has confirmed to Ars Technica that it has hired a former EA and Oculus exec to lead a Netflix game-publishing team.

The newly hired exec is Mike Verdu, who most recently worked in developer relations with Facebook's Oculus VR team (his public profile still says that's his current job). He has worked in game development and publishing since the early '90s, and his first studio, Legend Entertainment, was eventually acquired by GT Interactive.

In addition, Netflix has spent the past half-decade building a collection of exclusive TV series based on video game licenses, including animated series based on Castlevania, Dota 2 and a critically acclaimed, live-action version of The Witcher (whose second season is set to launch later this year). Perhaps Konami's longtime pause on Castlevania games could change with Netflix as a publishing partner in the mix. (Then again, maybe we should cool our heels and see whether Netflix's first slate of games revolve around nongaming properties like the wacky dating show Sexy Beasts, the ridiculous cast of Tiger King, or, fingers crossed, the absurd sketch comedy of I Think You Should Leave.)

However, we've seen aggressive release timelines dog major new game publishing efforts as recently as this year, with Google loudly shuttering its Stadia game development studios after two years of development and zero releases. Should Netflix stick with a timeline as brief as "the next year," the streaming giant will likely have to focus on scaled-back releases, if not games that have already been in the works for years before today's announcement.

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