Netflix closes game studio in California

Netflix has recently made the decision to close its AAA Southern California game studio, Team Blue. This news was confirmed by Netflix, marking the shutdown of its fifth internal studio and the departure of three key team members from the company.

Among the departures were studio lead Chacko Sonny, creative director Joseph Staten, and art director Rafael Grassetti. Sonny was appointed to lead the studio in October 2022, followed by Staten in April 2023, who was slated to contribute to a new AAA intellectual property. Grassetti joined the team in May 2023 to collaborate on the same project. Reports suggest that the studio was focused on implementing a high-budget multi-device strategy.

In a recent development, Alain Tascan, the president of Netflix Games, brought on Jeet Shroff, a former vice president of games development at Epic, to join the team. Shroff now holds the position of vice president of games tech and portfolio development within Netflix Games. This hiring decision coincided with a series of layoffs within the gaming division, impacting approximately 35 individuals.

The closure of Team Blue and the subsequent changes within Netflix Games have sparked interest and speculation within the gaming industry. The decision to shut down the AAA game studio comes amidst a period of restructuring and realignment within Netflix’s gaming division. The departures of key personnel and the hiring of industry veterans like Shroff indicate a shift in strategy and focus for Netflix Games.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, companies like Netflix are constantly adapting to meet the demands of players and the market. The closure of Team Blue serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the gaming industry and the need for companies to remain agile and responsive to changing trends and consumer preferences.

For further insights and clarification on these recent developments, inquiries have been made to Netflix. The company’s response and any additional information provided may shed more light on the future direction of Netflix Games and its strategic priorities in the gaming sector.