After closing down its game studio, Netflix has announced plans to invest in AI to build games instead

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the evolution of gaming from arcade machines to virtual reality, I can’t help but feel a tad nostalgic about Netflix’s decision to close its internal gaming studio and shift towards AI. While I appreciate the potential benefits that AI could bring to the gaming industry, such as faster development cycles and innovative gameplay mechanics, it’s hard not to draw parallels between this move and the plot of The Terminator.


The recent Netflix decision to shut down its in-house game development studio, opting instead for AI solutions, has stirred up debate. Could this choice prove to be short-sighted?

Netflix closes Blue Studio, shifts to AI for game development

Hey there fellow gamers! Remember the classic sci-fi flick, “The Terminator”? It’s a timeless reminder that while AI has its perks in making work and life easier, overreliance can lead to unexpected outcomes. If you haven’t caught it yet, I’d highly recommend giving it a spin on Netflix—it’s an eye-opener, especially for those working at Netflix!

In October, Netflix closed down its game development studio called Blue, and they are now planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to take over the responsibilities that were previously handled by the team.

Under the leadership of ex-Blizzard executive Chako Sonny, Blue was dissolved before launching any AAA games they had been working on. Contrary to speculation, Netflix maintains it hasn’t given up on gaming. So far, its gaming triumphs were achieved by bringing well-known third-party games like GTA onto their platform. Now, however, the company is making a daring move towards a fresh strategy.

As per the latest appointment at Netflix as VP of GenAI for Gaming, Mike Verdu views this move as an opportunity to confront “the next big hurdle” within the gaming industry. He elaborated on this in a LinkedIn post.

I am working on driving a “once in a generation” inflection point for game development and player experiences using generative AI. […] AI will enable big game teams to move much faster, and will also put an almost unimaginable collection of new capabilities in the hands of developers in smaller game teams.

Some find this phrased as if referring to a grand declaration, “the machine will handle it.” However, it’s puzzling that the integration of AI into the current game studio setup wasn’t previously considered, but it appears that Netflix has opted to concentrate exclusively on generative AI, disregarding a mixed approach.

Verdu sees generative AI as a tool to unlock the “unlimited potential and rapid pace of innovation” in gaming. He describes it as a transformative force, even though “many look at this technology with fear.”

As expected, Verdu’s post received heavy criticism from people upset with the decision.

Express your opinions about Netflix’s business approach and the potential impact of General Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the gaming sector. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comment section!

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2024-11-05 19:09