Netflix’s new in-house gaming teams might be especially ambitious. Mobilegamer.biz discovered a job posting for a director in Los Angeles who would oversee production on a “brand-new AAA PC game” – this is not another mobile title. While many specifics are yet unclear, the new recruit should have prior expertise with first- and third-person shooters, continuously developing “live service” games (think Destiny 2), and rapid prototyping in Unreal Engine. The ideal applicant would also be at ease with cooperative and competitive multiplayer, as well as creating a gaming environment “worthy” of a Netflix programme.
The streaming service states that the game director will not be hampered by “monetization design limitations.” In-app purchases, advertisements, and other unpleasant shocks should not be included in this project, as they are in Netflix’s other games. A job posting for a lead engineer mentions a “3rd person action RPG.”
The stakes are already high. Netflix games VP Mike Verdu stated last month that former Overwatch director Chacko Sonny would manage the LA studio after departing Blizzard in 2021, and the incoming director is likely to have “at least” 10 years of creative expertise. Netflix has also opened an office in Helsinki and acquired a number of developers, including Night School Studio, the creator of Oxenfree.
Netflix has a huge motivation to promote game creation. Less than one percent of the company’s users use the mobile games that come with membership. Blockbuster games for other platforms might not only reach new audiences, but also help Netflix enhance its industry image.
