Streaming platform Netflix has bought its first game developer in Night School Studio.
The firm announced that it was joining the media giant in a post on its website, describing it as a “surreal honour.” No figure has been placed on the deal as of yet.
“Over the last few months, we’ve had countless thoughtful chats about our respective visions for where we see games, storytelling, and our collective opportunity for positive impact somewhere in the middle,” co-founder Sean Krankel (pictured) said.
“Night School wants to stretch our narrative and design aspirations across distinctive, original games with heart. Netflix gives film, TV, and now game makers an unprecedented canvas to create and deliver excellent entertainment to millions of people. Our explorations in narrative gameplay and Netflix’s track record of supporting diverse storytellers was such a natural pairing. It felt like both teams came to this conclusion instinctively.
“Of course, it’s a surreal honor to be the first games studio to join Netflix! Not only do we get to keep doing what we do, how we like to do it, but we get a front-row seat on the biggest entertainment platform in the world. The Netflix team has shown the utmost care for protecting our studio culture and creative vision. We’ll keep making Oxenfree II. We’ll keep cooking up new game worlds.”
This news comes in the wake of reports that Netflix was getting into the games market with the hire of EA and Facebook vet Mike Verdu. The firm is initially focusing on mobile titles.
Night School Studio is an indie venture set up by Disney and Telltale vets Krankel and Adam Hines. The developer is best known for 2016’s Oxenfree, which sold 1.5 million copies between release and March 2019 but boasted over three million installs.
This article was first published on PCGamesInsider.biz.
Steve is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 20 years’ experience specialising in consumer technology and video games. With a career spanning from the first PlayStation to the latest in VR, he's proud to be a lifelong gamer.
