Netflix’s gaming strategy hasn’t really taken a clear shape yet, but generative AI could end up playing a big part in it. Not entirely certain why this matters, but that’s what the company seems to be hoping for, based on a recent job posting. The streaming giant behind Squid Games and Stranger Things is on the lookout for a director of generative AI for gaming to potentially spearhead the implementation of the experimental technology across its game studios. The lucky candidate will be paid up to a whopping $840K for the honor.
Who, When, and Where: Shared on Bluesky by comic writer and artist Kendra Wells, the listing describes how this prospective leader within the company’s gaming division will “define and lead the Gen AI strategy across Netflix Games, helping to shape foundational infrastructure to player-facing features” and “identify and evaluate opportunities to apply Gen AI across our portfolio and studios both in the creation of new experiences and improving our workflows and pipelines.” The position was posted back in September and is onsite in Los Angeles, California. The salary band advertised ranges from $430,000 to $840,000. Netflix had to let go of developers at Night School Studio earlier this year, so it’s not really clear why they’re shelling out close to a million each now.
Why and How: This isn’t Netflix’s first rodeo when it comes to generative AI gaming. The division’s previous boss, Mike Verdu, held the title VP of GenAI for Games until earlier this year when he unexpectedly left the company. He was quite the optimist about the potential of the technology, saying, “Many view this technology with fear, but I am a game-maker at heart and I see its potential to unlock all of us, to create mind-blowing new experiences for players, to lift us to new heights.” His replacement, former Epic Games exec Alain Tascan, took over in March and mentioned that Netflix’s evolving gaming strategy would focus on party games, narrative games, and quick mobile adaptations of its hit franchises. Their first Smart TV games are supposed to launch later this year, with Spirit Crossing, a cozy MMO sim combining Animal Crossing and Studio Ghibli vibes, set to be the litmus test to see if they can finally score a breakout hit. They decided to walk away from their AAA blockbuster gaming dreams last year. But who knows if this exploration of generative AI-influenced gaming will last longer than a hot minute?
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