Netflix Games Announces Departure of Long-Standing President and VP of GenAI Mike Verdu

The Vice President of generative AI at Netflix Games, Mike Verdu, has stepped down from his role at the streaming giant.

While Netflix confirmed Verdu’s exit in a statement to Game File, the company did not provide details regarding the reason for his departure after just five months nor disclosed who would take his place.

Verdu joined Netflix in 2021 to establish its gaming division. However, in November 2024, following a leadership overhaul, Verdu was transitioned to the role of VP of generative AI for games, with former Story Games executive Alain Tascan brought on board to oversee Netflix’s gaming portfolio.

“Many regard [AI] technology with apprehension, but I’m a game creator at my core and I recognize its ability to liberate our creativity, to craft extraordinary new experiences for players, to propel us to greater heights,” Verdu remarked at the time. “Indeed, we’ll need to evolve and adapt, but when have we as an industry ever shied away from that challenge?”

Netflix has made significant investments in video games over the past few years, especially since hiring Verdu in 2021. The entertainment streaming giant acquired several studios and launched two internal ones, although it announced in October that it would be shutting down the California studio, and canceling six games as part of an effort to “adjust [its] portfolio” in February, along with reducing an undisclosed number of positions at Netflix-owned Night School Studio.

So far, Netflix’s games are exclusively available on mobile devices, with lifetime downloads of its 100-plus titles surpassing 210 million as of September.

Annapurna Interactive has appointed former Netflix Games executive Leanne Loombe