Netflix may be rethinking its AAA gaming push, closes SoCal gaming studio [Video]

The big picture: Netflix has shut down its AAA gaming studio in Southern California, one of several development studios the company had added to its budding gaming portfolio in recent years. The closure includes the departure of at least three industry veterans, and calls into question Netflix’s overall gaming strategy.

The streaming giant launched its gaming initiative in late 2021 with a handful of mobile titles. The company continued the push into 2022 with the acquisition of Next Games and Boss Fight Entertainment, and even announced plans to build its own studio in Finland.

By early 2023, Netflix had more than 55 games in its stable including established hits like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Twelve Minutes. GTA Trilogy was added later in the year, and the award-winning Monument Valley joined Netflix Games just last month.

The effort seemed to …