Netflix will no longer produce interactive series as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. The streaming video giant confirmed that it will no longer experiment with this type of content, since Technology did not allow them to innovate beyond what was produced in 2018. The company will use learning in its new commitment to games.
According to Mike Verdu, director of games at Netflix, interactive programs like this are a thing of the past for the company. The executive confirmed in an interview that They are not working on those types of experiences. Despite the commotion caused by the premiere of Bandersnatchthe possibilities offered by the concept could not be exploited further.
“The technology was very limited and there was a limit to what we could do in that area, but we learned a lot from it,” Verdu stated. “Where you will see learning come to life is in these interactive narrative games. You will start to feel more and more like you are really playing the program,” said the manager, echoing the mobile games based on some of his series.
The current vice president of game development at Netflix commented that the iOS and Android adaptations of Playing with fire either Love is blind They are an extension of those programs. The pCurrent projects are the spiritual successor of what was attempted with Bandersnatcha narrative experience based on the player’s choices.
Although the concept of choose your own adventure is not new, the younger generations discovered it from that chapter of Black Mirror. Charlie Brooker and the production team accumulated more than five hours of footage to give the viewer options. The idea of being responsible for the future of history was something new to those who did not grow up in the 1980s.
Netflix will continue betting on video games
Although Bandersnatch and interactive series are no longer in Netflix’s plans, the company remains focused on making a place for itself in the video game industry. The giant bought Night School Studio, creators of the multi-award-winning OXENFREEat the end of 2021. Months later, Boss Fight Entertainment and Next Games joined the roster first party and the company closed 2022 by announcing the creation of its first studio.
Netflix’s strategy seems like an exercise in trial and error on all available fronts. The company started with Bandersnatch as an experiment to then focus on mobile phones. This was followed by the signing of Joseph Staten, a veteran of Halo and Destinywho will be in charge of the company’s first AAA game.
In addition to that, the technology company has also closed agreements with companies to offer their games at no cost to subscribers. The most recent case is the remastered trilogy of Grand Theft Autowhich can be downloaded at no cost from the Netflix application.
Netflix is also considering including ads or microtransactions in its mobile games, in order to generate more revenue.