Netflix launches new gaming studio in Finland in the latest expansion move for Netflix Games
Netflix's latest move in gaming and a big one at that, is the launch of a new gaming studio in Helsinki, Finland; the studio is reportedly being built from the ground up and will focus on original IPs. Here are the details.
People already know Netflix as one of the most popular streaming platforms. However, the company is determined to expand to a larger audience, and gamers to be more specific. Ever since Netflix divulged its plans of getting into the gaming sector, and launched Netflix Games, the company has been on an acquisition spree. This time, a new studio is being set up at Helsinki, Finland, as was announced in its latest update from 26th September. As we get into the details of their latest enterprise, let us also go through what Netflix has to offer for gamers these days.
Netflix's new Finland gaming studio- Details
On 26th September, Vice President of Netflix Game Studios, Amir Rahimi announced a new internal games studio launched in Helsinki, Finland. He wrote in the official press release, “This is another step in our vision to build a world-class games studio that will bring a variety of delightful and deeply engaging original games.” He focused on the fact that the aim is to make the upcoming games devoid of ads and in-app purchases. Marko Lastikka has been declared the director of this studio which is being from ground-up by Netflix.
For context, this is the fourth studio that Netflix has now roped in for gaming. The first being the acquisition of Oxenfree makers- Night School Studio from 2021, followed by Next Games and Boss Fight Entertainment. Next Games is also another Helsinki-based studio, that Netflix acquired earlier this year. It is known for producing games based on AMC's The Walking Dead TV series, like Our World and No Man's Land. Boss Fight Entertainment on the other hand, has been created by Zynga Dallas and Ensemble Studios’ veterans. The founders had earlier worked on games like Castleville and Age of Empires.
Netflix Games continues to expand despite low users
Netflix’s latest push into gaming is not just restricted to expanding its game-developing studios. Netflix’s vision is to come up with games and shows together, to create exclusive and holistic IPs for the platform. Earlier this year in Geeked Week, we were introduced to a number of games coming up on the platform based on its popular shows. It included titles like La Casa De Papel, The Queen’s Gambit, Shadow and Bone, and more. In a more recent update, Oxenfree is coming to Netflix Games, while Oxenfree II is now delayed to 2023. However, recent reports have revealed that less than 1% of the entire audience of Netflix only actually engages with the games on the platform. Regardless, Netflix continues to be a growing platform, now targeting gamers, with more coming up with acquisitions and additions like this new Helsinki studio.