Netflix reveals plans to build its own gaming studio in Helsinki, Finland
Netflix has announced its plans to open its own gaming studio as revealed by Amir Rahimi, VP of Game Studios, in a recent blog post. The internal development hub will be based in Helsinki, Finland and will have Marko Lastikka at the helm as the studio director, further bolstering the streaming service's move into mobile gaming with no pesky ads or predatory in-app purchases - just a Netflix subscription and a growing lineup of games in its roster.
Netflix has been steadily building its portfolio of games, with recent releases such as Into the Breach and Oxenfree. "Why Helsinki? It is home to some of the best game talent in the world. This will be a games studio that we build from scratch, and our second games studio in Helsinki alongside Next Games, which became part of Netflix earlier this year. Along with Night School Studio and Boss Fight Entertainment, these four studios, each with different strengths and focus areas, will develop games that will suit the diverse tastes of our members," says Rahimi.
While it will likely take years for us to see what the new studio will come up with, it does feel like an exciting time for the mobile industry as another contender steps into the ring. It also seems like a great way to monetise Netflix's fan-fave franchises such as Stranger Things, Narcos and more.A fun night partying takes a hellish turn when a group of friends unwittingly open a ghostly rift. OXENFREE: Netflix Edition — the critically acclaimed narrative-driven adventure game — is now available to play on the Netflix mobile app - download here: https://t.co/zbRhsBhxd8 pic.twitter.com/2t0GBP1vZ6 — Netflix (@netflix) September 25, 2022
“To Netflix’s credit, they’re a long-term thinker,” says Tom Forte - senior research analyst at D.A. Davidson - in an article from CNN. “If you think about their pivots, the DVDs to streaming, they think long-term and they act long-term.”
For now, you can have a look at the complete list of games you can play on Netflix over on the official website. You might also want to take a sneak peek at the recently released SpongeBob: Get Cooking and Desta: The Memories Between.
While you're waiting, why not take a gander at our list of the best free games on mobile?