Netflix Shuts Down Boss Fight Entertainment After Three Years

Netflix has officially closed down Boss Fight Entertainment, the studio known for developing the mobile game Squid Game: Unleashed. The closure comes after the company's strategic reassessment of its gaming division and several industry-wide layoffs.

Background on Boss Fight Entertainment

Netflix acquired Boss Fight in March 2022, expecting the studio’s extensive experience in creating hit games across various genres to boost Netflix's gaming offerings. An executive at the time emphasized that the studio's expertise would help accelerate the company's ability to deliver compelling games to its subscribers, regardless of platform.

Squid Game: Unleashed was a flagship title for the studio, garnering significant attention by becoming the "#1 Free Action Game in 107 countries upon release." Co-CEO Greg Peters highlighted the game during a recent earnings call, showcasing Netflix’s interest in narrative-driven games based on its popular franchises.

The Closure and Reactions

After more than three years, and amid changes in Netflix’s gaming strategy, Boss Fight has been shut down. Netflix declined to comment on the reasons behind the closure.

David Rippy, co-founder and former CEO of Boss Fight, expressed his gratitude and posted, “Thanks, everyone who reached out today. Rough news, for sure, but I’m very grateful for the time we had at Netflix.”

Similarly, David Luehmann, a director of game development at Boss Fight, shared via social media, “After 10+ great years working at Boss Fight, the last few as part of Netflix, the time has come for the studio to close down. I am very proud of all the people, work, and games we’ve released. I wish you could see what we had cooking!”

Industry Context and Future Direction

The shutdown of Boss Fight reflects ongoing industry challenges, including layoffs at other gaming studios like Funcom, despite the success of titles such as Dune: Awakening, and at Cloud Chamber, currently developing the next BioShock game. Netflix itself had previously closed its AAA game studio before releasing any products.

Netflix’s current gaming focus is shifting toward party games playable on TV with smartphones as controllers. The company’s strategy now prioritizes expanding interactive experiences and engaging content around existing franchises.

Conclusion

With Boss Fight's closure, Netflix’s gaming ambitions are evolving, emphasizing more accessible and social gaming experiences. As the industry adapts, Netflix remains committed to exploring new interactive entertainment formats to captivate its broad subscriber base.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.