Netflix Has Acquired Its Third Video Game Developer In Six Months
This is the first that hasn’t developed a game based on a TV or film IP.
When Netflix announced its intention, at the beginning of March 2022, to acquire Next Games - a mobile developer creating games based on commercially popular TV shows such as Stranger Things and The Walking Dead - it made complete sense.
In September 2021, the company had previously announced its acquisition of Oxenfree developer Night School Studio. What initially didn't seem like an obvious union made sense when you delved deeper. In 2016, the studio released a mobile game to tie into the Amazon Prime drama Mr. Robot. Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle began falling into place. And now that Netflix has purchased its third studio in just six months, our interest in its interactive projects has really been piqued.
You can take a peek at the forthcoming fourth and final season of Netflix's hit Stranger Things in the teaser below.
As reported by GamesRadar+, Netflix has now purchased Boss Fight Entertainment, another mobile developer. The company told investors last year that it hopes to expand primarily into the mobile market, to include mobile games with its subscription package. In a statement, it said:
"We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation, and unscripted TV. Games will be included in members' Netflix subscription at no additional cost similar to films and series."
Recently, Netflix also revealed that three games, including one PlayStation 3 game gone mobile, are now available to subscribers. This announcement comes soon after the streaming service delivered yet another price hike to every tier of its service. In the statement it claims the price hike is to allow Netflix to "bring you more".
This is good news though if you're a fan of mobile games. By offering them as part of the subscription service and not via the free-to-play model, microtransactions, adverts, and add-ons will reportedly all be absent from the new titles. In a statement on Netflix's website, the founders of Boss Fight wrote:
"Netflix's commitment to offer ad-free games as part of members' subscriptions enables game developers like us to focus on creating delightful gameplay without worrying about monetization. We couldn't be more excited to join Netflix at this early stage as we continue doing what we love to do while helping to shape the future of games on Netflix together."
With analysts saying that subscription services aren't the future of gaming, we are curious as to whether the strategy will work out. However, I will concede playing mobile games and binge watching Bridgerton does seem like a match made in heaven.
Featured Image Credit: Netflix / John-Mark Smith Pexels / Fox