Mike Verdu has officially left Netflix, marking another big change in the company’s evolving approach to gaming. As reported by Game File‘s Stephen Totilo, Verdu was brought on in 2021 to spearhead Netflix’s entry into the gaming space after his tenure at Oculus and EA. During his time at the company, Netflix expanded its game library with both new releases and ports while also laying the foundation for in-house game development.
However, Netflix’s gaming direction took a turn in mid-2024 with the hiring of Alain Tascan, formerly an executive at Epic Games, to lead the division. Verdu continued as VP of Games until November 2024, when he transitioned into the role of Vice President of Generative AI for Games.
In a LinkedIn post, Verdu described his work in AI as an effort to drive a “once-in-a-generation” shift in game development, aiming to enhance creativity with AI as a tool to accelerate and empower developers. He emphasized a “creator-first” approach, ensuring that AI serves as a catalyst rather than a replacement for human talent. As of now, he has yet to update his profile with a new position.
Netflix’s gaming division has seen several shakeups since Tascan took over. The company previously recruited top industry talent, including former Overwatch head Chacko Sonny, Halo veteran Joseph Staten, and God of War art director Rafael Grassett, all to develop an ambitious AAA game for a new IP. However, in October 2024, Netflix shut down the internal studio, Team Blue.
Additionally, Leanne Loombe, who oversaw second and third-party game publishing at Netflix, departed the company and is now leading the gaming division at Annapurna Interactive. Her exit followed a mass walkout of 25 team members. Most recently, in early 2025, Netflix canceled the planned releases of six mobile games, including Thirsty Suitors and Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game.
With so many high-profile changes, it’s clear that Netflix’s gaming ambitions are still in flux. Whether Tascan’s leadership will steer the company toward a more stable future remains to be seen.
