Interview: Netflix wants to become the ‘place to play a story’

Interview: Netflix wants to become the ‘place to play a story’

In today's The Game Business, we are joined by Netflix's Sean Krankel, who runs Night School Studio and is the general manager of Netflix's narrative video games. Krankel has just launched Unhinged, a 30-minute horror game that is streamed via Netflix and stars Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), Zoë Kravitz (The Batman) and Troy Baker (Indiana Jones). It's a game controlled by your mobile phone, where you'll direct the main character and also receive calls from the supporting cast. It's been a breakout hit, and we chat to Sean about building games for people who might not own a console or gaming PC, what might come next, and what the goal is for Netflix. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe [https://www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The number of video game journalists has fallen by nearly 300 in 2026

In this edition of The Game Business Show, we discuss the state of the video game media with Alex Donaldson, the owner of RPG Site and former editor of Eurogamer. Alex is just launching a brand new games website called Respec, which is designed to be a more playful consumer publication. We also speak with Atari’s new European boss Andreas Deptolla about the company’s plans, including its goal of turning MobyGames into the ‘IMDB of video games’. Plus, of course, we discuss the latest cuts at Xbox. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe [https://www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Saber Interactive: “We can just do AAA games smarter”

Today, we speak to Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits about building AAA games smartly, and why the firm is all-in on licensed games. We also discuss the developer's huge slate, which includes games based on John Wick, Jurassic Park, Hitman, Turok, Stuntman, Star Wars and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe [https://www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Xbox plans 3,200 job cuts, and will drop five acclaimed studios

Xbox plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs as part of a major restructure, and will divest of five studios: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs and Arkane Lyon. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe [https://www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Xbox divided over its future, and do people even buy physical PlayStation games?

In today’s The Game Business Show, we discuss how people at Xbox are feeling about these imminent cuts and changes. Plus, we analyse PlayStation’s decision to end disc production. And our guest is Midwest Games CEO Ben Kvalo, who has a vision for a more sustainable future for video game makers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe [https://www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]