Netflix plans expansion to offer video games and podcasts

Netflix logo displayed at offices on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Netflix logo displayed at offices on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images

Netflix is expanding its catalog beyond television and film to offer video games, Bloomberg News first reported.

The content platform and production company confirmed Wednesday it had hired former Electronic Arts executive Mike Verdu to head its video game buildout. Verdu, who will function as vice president of game development, previously developed online and virtual-reality games as a vice president for Facebook.

“There’s no doubt that games are going to be an important form of entertainment and an important modality to deepen that fan experience,” said Netflix chief operating officer Greg Peters in April, according to CNET. “Certainly games are a really interesting component of that.”

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Netflix boasts more than 207 million subscribers across the globe. Executives have mentioned their desire to compete with Fornite gamers and YouTube content creators better.

Netflix also signaled a desire to step into the podcast arena last week when it hired former NPR executive N’Jeri Eaton to be head of podcasts.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images