Netflix Acquires Night School Studio - Oxenfree Developer

Netflix Acquires Night School Studio, Its First Game Development Studio

Night School Studio, the independent developer celebrated for narrative-focused games such as Oxenfree, has been acquired by Netflix. This marks the streaming service’s inaugural purchase of a game development studio.

Netflix's Expansion into Gaming

Mike Verdu, Netflix’s vice president of game development, articulated that Night School’s dedication to artistic quality and established success are highly valuable as Netflix expands its gaming capabilities and content library. He emphasized the intention to introduce exclusive games catering to all gamer types and skill levels.

These games will be included as part of a Netflix membership, and will be entirely free of advertisements and in-app purchases.

The Origins of Night School Studio

Night School Studio was established in 2014 by Sean Krankel, previously a senior game designer at Disney Interactive, and Adam Hines, formerly a lead writer for Telltale Games.

Notably, Telltale Games had previously collaborated with Netflix on interactive series like “Minecraft: Storymode” prior to its closure.

A Natural Partnership

Sean Krankel stated that Netflix provides game creators with an unparalleled platform to develop and distribute exceptional entertainment to a vast audience.

He highlighted the synergy between Night School’s expertise in narrative gameplay and Netflix’s commitment to supporting diverse storytelling.

Future Plans for Night School Studio

Addressing fans of Oxenfree and other Night School titles, Krankel assured continued development on Oxenfree II, alongside the creation of new gaming experiences.

He also expressed gratitude for Netflix’s commitment to preserving the studio’s culture and creative vision.

Recent Gaming Initiatives

This acquisition follows closely on the heels of Netflix’s launch of three new casual mobile games in Poland, Italy, and Spain.

This rollout occurred just a month after the release of two games linked to the “Stranger Things” series.

Gaming as a New Content Category

In its second-quarter shareholder letter, Netflix acknowledged being in the initial phases of refining its gaming strategy.

The company views gaming as an additional content pillar, comparable to its original films, animated series, and reality television programming.

From Interactive Storytelling to Games

Prior to its foray into mobile gaming, Netflix initially experimented with interactive narratives four years ago, launching “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style shows for children.

The following year, this format was extended to adult audiences with the “Bandersnatch” episode of “Black Mirror,” and has since been expanded to include other interactive children’s programs like “Minecraft: Story Mode” and “Emily’s Wonder Lab.”