Case in point, what data miner Steve Moser just uncovered in the Netflix app code.
Is the Netflix and PlayStation partnership confirmed?
Netflix has made it very clear that it wants to get into the video game industry. Months ago, there were reports that the streaming giant was looking for an executive to help make this expansion into the video game space happen. Then, earlier this month, Netflix made it happen. The hiring of Mike Verdu, who previously worked with Facebook (VP of game development) and EA (Senior VP), signals the official start of Netflix getting into video games. Naturally, fans are curious to find out what Netflix is planning to do next. For now, Netflix has made no official announcement. However, regarded dataminer Steve Moser appears to have found clues hinting at a possible partnership between Netflix and PlayStation. To be more specific, Moser found the box art for Ghost of Tsushima and some PS5 controllers while out digging on the Netflix app code.
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) July 15, 2021 At the moment, it is unclear what this all could mean. However, if there is a Netflix and PlayStation partnership in the works, Netflix can do a lot worse than securing Ghost of Tsushima. Sucker Punch Productions’ latest title was one of the most popular games of 2020. The game is also set to get a Director’s Cut in August. Not to mention, there’s also a Ghost of Tsushima movie in the works. Although we don’t think that this will be premiering on Netflix anytime soon, even if the partnership between these two companies is true. According to Moser, Netflix has designated its gaming section with the codename of “Shark”. He adds that the PlayStation IP placement suggests that a collaboration between the two is imminent. If all this is true, it wouldn’t be the first time such a partnership happened. Sony and Netflix recently agreed on a deal for Sony Pictures Entertainment films to air on Netflix first, after premiering in theaters. Netflix has been testing out the video game waters in recent years. After experimenting with interactive stories such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Minecraft: Story Mode, among others, Netflix went on to produce TV shows based on video games like Castlevania. In fact, Netflix has a whole slate of movies and TV shows based on video games set to premiere on the platform within this year and beyond. At the same time, Sony has made it clear that it wants to use its existing franchises to explore other venues. So far, Sony has done that with the aforementioned Ghost of Tsushima movie, and with a TV show based on The Last of Us also in the works. When you consider that the biggest strength of the exclusive titles for the PlayStation consoles is their narratives and cinematic stories, it makes a lot of sense for Sony to see how well their franchises would do outside of gaming. In addition to this, PlayStation has reportedly been working on expanding its premium services. After trying out the PlayStation Plus Video Pass subscription service in Poland, Sony might have found out that it is more economical to partner up with Netflix instead.
