As Netflix looks to expand its content offering by moving further into the video games industry, the streaming giant has announced that it is forming its very first from-scratch studio to create original games for its service.
Making the announcement via press release, Amir Rahimi, VP of Games Studios, hinted that it would be “years” until the studio’s debut game reaches players. In the meantime, the company is looking to create a “world-class” development studio. As of right now, Netflix is still in the process of putting the studio together where it will neighbor fellow Netflix-owned game developer Next Games in the Finnish capital city of Helsinki.
While it may be quite some time until Netflix releases its first in-house video game, the California-based firm is already pushing itself into the industry, though with mixed results. Earlier this year, Netflix started offering games via its Netflix mobile app, though reports suggest less than 1% of subscribers actually play them.
Looking forward, Netflix is partnering with more external companies to bring big-name releases to its platform. Earlier this month Ubisoft announced several new Assassin’s Creed games for traditional PC and console platforms. The publisher also announced a Netflix-exclusive Assassin’s Creed game as well as a live-action series. It’s possible they will tie-in together, though as of right now, we don’t know anything more than what was previously announced, and as both the game and series are still way off, we likely won’t hear much in the near future.
Netflix enjoyed a nice boost to its subscriber count during the pandemic. With many of us staying home instead of going to work or school, we naturally sought ways to wile away the long lockdown hours. However, since the world has opened up and new competition has entered the scene, such as Disney+ and HBO Max, Netflix has seen a downward turn in its business, with the company losing millions of subscribers, seeing its shares drop in value, and cutting jobs as a reaction. By offering something that most other streaming subscription services don’t, Netflix will be looking to re-capture lost customers and gain a new audience.