Netflix Games VP, after closing its AAA games studio, transforms into VP of GenAI Games. The gobbledygook is to flow: 'a Creator-First Vision... with AI as a catalyst and accelerant'

In October 2022, Netflix announced a escalation of its gaming ambitions through the internal studio Team Blue. They made some eye-catching hirings from across the AAA sector, including Chacko Grassetti, ex-Sony Santa Monica, and Joseph Staten, ex-343 Industries. Mike Verdu, VP of Netflix Games, said that they were looking to "build the next great thing in gaming."

Womp womp. Netflix announced two years ago that Team Blue would be closed without any notable product being shipped. The three major hires have since left. Mike Verdu is still at Netflix, but he has been promoted to the position of VP GenAI for Games. He wants you to know that this all happened exactly as planned. Okay, and generative artificial intelligence is a "once-in-a-generation inflection point," just like I feel when I get up too quickly these days.

Verdu, in a LinkedIn post (where else), says a lot without saying a word. I wonder if the post is the result of generative AI, as it is full of out-of context buzzwords but devoid of meaning.

Verdu or his chatbot says, "This transformative technology will accelerate the pace of development and unlock truly innovative game experiences that will delight, surprise, and inspire players." "I am focused a creator-first AI vision, one that puts the creative talent at its center, with AI as a catalyst and accelerant.

It's a shame Netflix has just shut down its only big-game team. The AI god will reportedly "enable big games teams to move faster." Verdu claims Netflix Games has built "a robust studio within the company" (doesn't he know this?). Verdu says Netflix Games is now a "world-class publishing organization" (citation required) and has "increased engagement in games by multiples." What exactly are multiples of: Nothing?

Verdu, amidst clouds of glory, is "ready for the big challenge after the primordial act of creation," and what do you know? "GenAI" is that challenge. Verdu harkens back to simpler times in the 1990s. "We saw a new video game launch every few weeks that redefined what is possible," says Verdu. As someone who played video games in the 90s, I can tell you this is a slight overstatement. "We're going back to those days when there was seemingly no limit to the potential of games and innovation."

Are we? Verdu sneers at the naysayers. "Many view this tech with fear, but I'm a game-maker by heart and I see its potencial to unlock us all, to create mind blowing new experiences for players, and to lift us to a new level."

Maybe I'll start paying more attention when people stop talking about GenAI's game plans and show off some of the great things it has created. The AI space is still a place of overblown claims, questionable applications, and subpar output.

But Verdu is "thrilled" regardless. Netflix seems to be clueless about the Team Blue closure, the departures, and Netflix's overall appearance. Verdu says, "Don't listen to the media speculation about the changes at Netflix Games. They are uninformed." "What you saw over the past few months was a planned transition."

That settles it. Verdu is not alone in its starry-eyed suit. Nearly every major publisher invests heavily in AI, but few are willing to discuss how it will affect jobs in the industry, beyond the dreaded word "efficiency." Some of those who will be affected have already started to organise around the issue. The SAG-AFTRA union for voice actors is currently on strike for three months, hoping to secure better AI rights for performers in the field.

GenAI is not going back in the jar. Verdu's grandiose visions of the near future are nothing new, as there is now an entire industry dedicated to extolling AI and snatching up as much venture capital as possible.

Verdu's post ends with an incredibly generic image of a sci fi city. The credits reveal that the image was generated by Microsoft AI tools. It's a strangely bland image, with a rural landscape that is contoured in a way that makes no sense. Farmsteads are scattered throughout, and the city in the distance is surrounded by roads that lead nowhere. Who'd've thought?