Netflix games has long been a rumor and many reports say that the company is indeed trying to become a giant in video games, not just streaming.
Now, that strategy is clearer. Netflix just spent $72 million to buy Next Games, a Finland-based game developer with 120 employees. The studio built the recent Stranger Things and Walking Dead games.
The deal between Netflix and Next Games is being done as an all-cash share purchase at €2.10 in case per share and is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.
The move is in line with what we’d expect Netflix to do if a Netflix games service were to be built: consolidate their portfolio of games based on TV properties.
With Stranger Things being Netflix’s biggest IP and The Walking Dead having a large fan-based established over more than a decade, this is a natural match.
“We are excited for Next Games to join Netflix as a core studio in a strategic region and key talent market, expanding our internal game studio capabilities. While we’re just getting started in games, I am confident that together with Next Games we will be able to build a portfolio of world class games that will delight our members around the world,” said Michael Verdu, VP of games at Netflix, in a statement.
Next Games is the first game studio bought by Netflix but, if their next titles prove to be a success, we could see the streaming company become a new player in gaming as well.
Netflix Games, the Next Step For The Major Gaming Platform? What We Know So Far
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