“Netflix Games Loses Key Figure as Mike Verdu Moves On”
Mike Verdu, the vice president of generative AI at Netflix Games, has left the company.
Netflix acknowledged the news in a statement to Game File—though it remains uncertain why Verdu departed less than five months after he took on the role of overseeing the streaming giant’s generative AI efforts.
Joining the company in 2021, Verdu initially held the position of VP of Netflix Games. He stepped down from this role in 2024 during a management reorganization that ultimately brought in former Chronicle Games executive Alain Tascan to lead the division.
After that overhaul, Verdu was appointed VP of generative AI for gaming to aid Netflix in fully utilizing what he termed a “once in a generation turning point for game development and player experiences.”
The Journey of Netflix Games So Far
Netflix is eager to enter the video game sector, but it appears to have faced challenges in finding its direction.
Initially investing heavily to establish in-house studios and attract prominent developers, the company closed its only triple-A studio in October of last year before laying off several employees at Oxenfree creator Night School Studios.
Since the launch of Netflix Games in 2021, the company has expanded its library from a small selection to a more robust roster, featuring over 80 mobile titles—including some that leverage Netflix’s own properties and significant third-party hits like Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy.
However, it remains unclear how successfully the service is performing, as Netflix has generally refrained from disclosing specific metrics.
During a recent earnings call, Netflix executives claimed that Grand Theft Auto led to “millions of downloads” and stated that Squid Game: Unleashed became the top action title on app stores across more than 107 countries.
Nevertheless, they also characterized the impact of games on subscriber acquisition and retention as “relatively minor.”
Looking ahead, Netflix aims to remain “disciplined” about scaling its game investments and member benefits to create a “virtuous cycle between linear content and concurrent game offerings.”
Game Developer has reached out to Netflix for further comments.
About the Author
News Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Chris Kerr, news editor at Game Developer, is an award-winning journalist with more than ten years of experience in the gaming industry. His byline has appeared in major print and online publications, including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, Global Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has reported on significant industry events, including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Brighton Games. He has served on the judging panel for The Games Industry Awards multiple times and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.