Netflix May Be Trying To Get Into Games Again

For years, Netflix has hinted that it may be looking to dabble in the games industry, although only a small handful of projects have come of it. This week, a new report suggests that the video streaming giant is staffing up to expand its games effort more significantly.

According to The Information, Netflix has begun recruiting for an executive to lead future video game initiatives. The company has sought out senior figures in the games industry, and it has discussed creating services similar to Apple Arcade. It has also decided that, like its video service, the potential video game service will not have ads.

Netflix has long given signs that it's interested in games. As recently as April, Netflix executives hinted during its earnings call that more investment in interactive media may be coming. It's had interest in games for at least a decade, but the company has also acknowledged in the past that running games services is a challenge.

To date, Netflix has worked on a few high-profile interactive media projects. In 2018, the company helped produce Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a choose-your-own-path film that's basically an FMV game; it's published a handful of other interactive films since then. Netflix also worked on adapting Stranger Things into a game for other platforms.