Broadcasting platform Netflix announced that it would enter the video game field last summer, and within this scope, it launched the Netflix Games service. The company acquired Next Games, the developer of Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, to expand its portfolio of games.
The publishing giant has announced that it will acquire Finland-based Next Games with an agreement worth approximately 72 million dollars. Founded in 2013, Next Games works in the mobile gaming space and is best known for “Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales,” a game based on Netflix’s Stranger Things series.
Netflix acquires Next Games for a record price
Next Games will join Night School Studio, the developer of Oxenfree, another mobile game studio within the Netflix game group. As you may recall, Netflix bought Night School in September.
Michael Verdu, Vice President of Games for Netflix, said:
“Next Games has an experienced management team based on entertainment franchises. He has a strong career and operational capabilities in mobile games. We are excited that Next Games is joining Netflix as the core studio and expanding our game studio capabilities. Although we are just getting started with games, I am confident that with Next Games we can create a premium portfolio of games that will delight our members around the world.”
Netflix announced its move to video games last summer, with a focus on mobile games that will add to its existing subscription deals. The first roster of games was released in November, including two Stranger Things-themed productions.
Netflix’s investment in games not only delights its subscribers, but also allows them to spend more time on the platform. This plan is also part of an effort to provide services on mobile devices, where people are less inclined to watch feature films and TV series in particular.
The acquisition of smaller game studios is a strategy adopted by PlayStation owner Sony and Xbox owner Microsoft. Chinese internet giant Tencent is also prolific when it comes to investing and buying small mobile game studios. But this strategy now seems to be used by Netflix.
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