At a time when the video gaming industry benefiting from a surge in demand from gamers staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix is looking to hire an executive to oversee its expansion into video games, Reuters is reporting.
Citing a person familiar with the matter, the publication notes that the streaming video giant is ramping up efforts to grow beyond its traditional business amid growing competition.
In the past, Netflix has experimented with interactive programming with movies such as “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and “You vs. Wild,” and has also created games based on shows “Stranger Things” and “Money Heist”.
In recent weeks, Netflix has approached veteran game industry executives about joining the company, the people said.
Netflix had discussed offering a bundle of games similar to Apple’s online subscription offering, Apple Arcade, as an option. While the details of the company’s games strategy are still very much in flux, it has decided that the games will not feature advertising, the report said.
While there’s no public job listing for this role at this point, the source claims that various gaming industry execs have been approached.
