Netflix purchases first video game studio
Netflix has its game-face on.
The streaming media company said Tuesday it bought its first video game studio -- scooping up game creator Night School Studio -- and rolling out five mobile gaming titles in select markets in Europe. Night School Studio is best known for its debut game "Oxenfree", a supernatural teen thriller with an eerie soundtrack.
The purchase is Netflix's attempt to move beyond movies and TV shows as it looks to diversify revenue sources, now that the streaming media world is crowded with Disney+, HBO Max, and many others.
The games from Night School Studio will be the first non-mobile titles from Netflix's newly created video game portfolio and will be available for play on the Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PCs.
Netflix is not tacking on any additional charge for video games, which can be played without ads and no in-app purchases.
In a shareholder letter describing its decision to go into gaming, Netflix said it saw the move as similar to a decision to expand into other types of content like original films, animation and unscripted TV.
