Netflix Shuts Down AAA Gaming Studio Team Blue. Here's What Will Happen To The App's Games Now
Netflix's move has raised eyebrows among industry analysts and gaming enthusiasts alike, prompting questions about Netflix’s future in the competitive gaming landscape.
Netflix has officially shut down its AAA gaming studio, Team Blue, marking a significant shift in its gaming strategy and affecting several notable industry veterans. This decision, reported by Game File and confirmed by Netflix, highlights the streaming giant's ongoing reevaluation of its ambitions in the gaming sector.
What Is Team Blue?
Team Blue, which was established in late 2022, aimed to create a multiplatform AAA game based on original intellectual property. Under the leadership of Chacko Sonny, a former executive producer of Overwatch, the studio quickly attracted high-profile talent, including Halo franchise veteran Joseph Staten and Rafael Grassetti, the art director behind God of War.
However, with the closure of Team Blue, all three executives have departed the company, raising concerns about Netflix's commitment to larger-scale game development.
The formation of Team Blue signalled Netflix's intent to expand beyond its previous focus on mobile gaming. In the spring of 2023, the addition of Staten as creative director and Grassetti as art director demonstrated a clear ambition to enhance the quality and scope of its gaming projects.
However, the shutdown suggests a potential scaling back of these aspirations, as the company shifts its focus once again.
What Will Happen To Netflix Games Now?
While Netflix still offers over 100 mobile games through its subscription service, including popular titles like Grand Theft Auto and Hades, the closure of its AAA studio indicates a retreat from investing in high-profile game development.
This move has raised eyebrows among industry analysts and gaming enthusiasts alike, prompting questions about Netflix’s future in the competitive gaming landscape.
Historically, Netflix’s gaming division has concentrated on mobile titles and acquiring existing studios, such as Night School Studio, known for developing Oxenfree II. The company has also partnered with external developers to create games based on its popular shows and films, with several exciting titles, including Chicken Run: Eggstraction and Squid Game: Unleashed, in the pipeline.
As Netflix navigates this transition, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how the company adapts its strategy in an increasingly competitive environment, where big-name studios and franchises dominate. The closure of Team Blue raises important questions about the streaming giant's long-term vision for gaming and whether it can carve out a significant presence in this dynamic industry.
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