Netflix Plans to Launch its Own Video Game Studio

After purchasing small gaming companies, such as Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, Netflix plans to launch its own video game studio, thus intensifying its efforts to establish itself in the gaming industry. Based in Helsinki, Finland, Netflix's studio will be led by former Zynga and Electronic Arts executive Marko Lastikka.

In this Slogging thread, our community discussed Netflix's move and how that'll impact the gaming industry.

This Slogging thread by Mónica Freitas, Manas Goel, Valentine Enedah, Teri, Ashish Kushwaha, Hamza, Daniel Yerimah, Daniela Gerardo, Alokam Chinenye Augusta and Sara Pinto occurred in slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.

"Netflix is setting up its own video game studio, as it intensifies its efforts to establish itself in the gaming industry.

Based in Helsinki, Finland, it will be led by former Zynga and Electronic Arts executive Marko Lastikka.

Netflix has previously purchased small gaming companies, such as Oxenfree developer Night School Studio.

But the streaming giant is now going further and creating a studio from scratch.

Lastikka is an established figure in gaming, having co-founded Zynga studio - also in Helsinki - which worked on FarmVille 3 under his leadership."

"Amir Rahimi, Netflix VP of Game Studios, announced the "vision to build a world-class games studio" https://about.netflix.com/en/news/building-our-internal-games-studios.

"[It] will bring a variety of delightful and deeply engaging original games, with no ads and no in-app purchases."

"Netflix has had a growing interest in the gaming industry in recent years.

It has released several series based on games, such as Arcane (based on League of Legends) and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (based on Cyberpunk: 2077).

Netflix is also working closely with Ubisoft, which will see both a live-action Assassin's Creed television series developed, and a Netflix-exclusive mobile game.

It is unclear whether the Netflix studio intends to develop games exclusively for mobile, or if it will also target the home console market."

I didn't see this coming! What do you think of this Netflix move? Will it be enough to compensate for the many many canceled subscriptions? Is it a new opportunity for success?

I think this is just the finest move. I mean who could expect an OTT platform to launch video games?! A few months back, YouTube was on higher precedence than Netflix. And that was because of podcasts. Now I know that I have the potential to finish a series in, let's say 3 hours and that keeps you engaged for one day in your leisure time. Obviously, YouTube does the same for you, but only this time, it keeps you preoccupied every day. Netflix could not compete. But now with video games comprised, I think this little sliver can turn out to be a real game changer for Netflix. Plus what could be more engrossing than sitting around playing with your favorite fictional characters?

Mónica Freitas, I know for sure, they will excel. They might even come close to Sony and of course their greatest project of all time, The God of War.

I never tried Netflix but launching this kind of service would make sense for people who love to immerse themselves in the reality of gaming and enjoy the thrill. There are exciting times ahead.

I think it's just a way to increase their business. The gaming industry is going to boom even more in the future because of technology like VR, AI, etc. Also, gaming falls into entertainment which may attract people who enjoy movies towards video games and vice versa.

I am not a big fan of games but I think is a welcome development in the gaming industry.

While this could be a great move by the Netflix team, it's yet to be seen.

Manas Goel, Valentine Enedah, Teri, great points! What movies/series would you like to be transformed into video games?

Marco Polo, Red Notice, Gray Man🔥🔥

Mónica Freitas, Netflix has often been in the hot seat for some of its decisions. The decision to raise prices and some of the original content they have sent out. Maybe they are trying to change the attention from one place to another. They certainly are titans in their industry and changed the game once, we'll have to wait and see if they can do it again.

Daniela Gerardo, I don't see this as a "look over there" distracting move - I see it more as they taking advantage of the titles they already have and using them to enter the gaming universe and make more money. Wouldn't you like to see some movies or tv shows turned into games?

I am not sure if it would help Netflix get back their lost subscriptions, but it would be something I would enjoy personally.

Alokam Chinenye Augusta, what shows would you like to see turned into video games?

I don’t know much about movies but if Prison break can be converted into a video game, that would be cool.

That was the only series I watched from the beginning to the last season.

Entering the game industry seems exciting! I think it's an interesting way to fight the growing number of canceled subscriptions. Seems like it's something they've had their eye on for quite some time, and if they already are into it, it can be a smart investment, Mónica Freitas.

Mónica Freitas, do we know what type of games they are interested in producing?

Sara Pinto, no idea, but I assume it relates to their shows.