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Netflix Plans to Offer Video Games in Push Beyond Films, TV

  • Company hires veteran of Facebook and EA to lead gaming effort
  • Service will add games to streaming platform in the next year
WATCH: Netflix Inc. shares rose in after-hours trading after the company said it will venture into video gaming. Lucas Shaw reports.(Source: Bloomberg)

Netflix Inc., marking its first big move beyond TV shows and films, is planning an expansion into video games and has hired a former Electronic Arts Inc. and Facebook Inc. executive to lead the effort.

Mike Verdu will join Netflix as vice president of game development, reporting to Chief Operating Officer Greg Peters, the company said on Wednesday. Verdu was previously Facebook’s vice president in charge of working with developers to bring games and other content to Oculus virtual-reality headsets.