Netflix Closes AAA Video Game Studio Prior to Debut

Netflix has made the decision to close its AAA video game studio in Southern California, despite the studio not having released any titles yet. This closure comes after the departure of three key industry veterans who were hired in the past two years. The shutdown of the AAA studio coincided with the appointment of Alain Tascan, a former executive at Epic Games and co-founder of Ubisoft, as the President of Netflix Games a few months ago.

In recent years, Netflix Games has been actively expanding its presence in the gaming industry, having released over 100 titles, including well-received games like Oxenfree II: Lost Signal, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, and various Netflix IP tie-ins such as Emily in Paris and Virgin River. The division currently has numerous games in development, aiming to diversify its gaming portfolio.

During a recent Q3 earnings call, Netflix’s Co-CEO Greg Peters emphasized the company’s focus on leveraging its intellectual property for gaming content. Peters highlighted upcoming game releases tied to popular Netflix shows, including Squid Game, Virgin River, and The Ultimatum, along with games based on established titles like Monument Valley 3. The strategic shift towards developing casual and cost-effective games is aimed at enhancing Netflix’s overall entertainment offerings.

One of the highly anticipated gaming projects from Netflix is "Squid Games: Unleashed," for which an official announcement trailer was unveiled during Gamescom in August. Scheduled to coincide with the release of Squid Game Season 2 on December 26, the game will be accessible through the Netflix app, offering fans an interactive experience within the Squid Game universe.

Netflix’s foray into the gaming industry has been met with both excitement and scrutiny, as the streaming giant aims to leverage its vast library of content and popular IPs to attract gamers. Despite the closure of its AAA studio, Netflix Games remains committed to expanding its gaming portfolio and exploring new opportunities in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.