Netflix Pivots Gaming, Shuts 'Squid Game' Studio
Netflix Closes Texas Game Studio Behind Squid Game: Unleashed
Streaming giant pivots from mobile gaming despite the studio's 10.7 million downloads
Highlights
- Netflix is closing Boss Fight Entertainment, developer of the hit "Squid Game: Unleashed."
- This marks a strategic pivot from mobile games to TV-based party games.
- "Squid Game: Unleashed" will remain available despite the studio's closure.
Netflix Inc. is shutting down Boss Fight Entertainment, the Texas game developer it acquired in 2022, marking a strategic retreat from big-budget mobile gaming just as the studio's "Squid Game: Unleashed" reached 10.7 million downloads.
The closure, confirmed Friday, reflects a broader shift under gaming president Alain Tascan, who assumed the role in July 2024. The streaming giant is pivoting from mobile-first development toward party games and narrative experiences designed for television viewing, what the company calls "couch play".
Boss Fight's flagship title, "Squid Game: Unleashed", became Netflix's fifth-most-downloaded game and hit No. 1 in 26 countries, according to studio co-founder David Rippy. Netflix reported the game reached the top free action game spot in more than 100 countries on App Store charts. The studio also developed "Netflix Stories" and "Money Heist: Ultimate Choice".
The game notably removed the Netflix paywall, allowing anyone to play for free regardless of subscription status.
Netflix Gaming Strategy Shifts to TV-Based Party Games
The timing appears counterintuitive. During Tuesday's earnings call, co-CEO Greg Peters praised "Squid Game: Unleashed" as exemplifying successful narrative integration, even as the company was preparing to shutter its creator. Peters announced forthcoming party-game adaptations of Boggle and Pictionary.
Tascan, who previously served as executive vice president of game development at Epic Games, overseeing Fortnite, Lego Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys, is steering the division in this new direction.
Boss Fight co-founder David Rippy called the news "rough" in a LinkedIn post while thanking Netflix for the opportunity. Studio director David Luehmann reflected on "over a decade of wonderful experiences".
Netflix confirmed that "Squid Game: Unleashed" and "Netflix Stories" will remain available to subscribers despite the studio closure.
The move comes as Netflix pursues revenue diversification beyond streaming. The Los Gatos, Calif.-based company reported third-quarter revenue of $11.51 billion, up 17.2% from a year earlier.
The gaming division's restructuring adds Boss Fight's employees to the wave of industry layoffs that have eliminated thousands of positions across major publishers in 2025. This marks Netflix's second studio closure this year, following the shutdown of Team Blue.
Author
Krishna Goswami is a content writer at Outlook India, where she delves into the vibrant worlds of pop culture, gaming, and esports. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) with a PG Diploma in English Journalism, she brings a strong journalistic foundation to her work. Her prior newsroom experience equips her to deliver sharp, insightful, and engaging content on the latest trends in the digital world.
Krishna Goswami is a content writer at Outlook India, where she delves into the vibrant worlds of pop culture, gaming, and esports. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) with a PG Diploma in English Journalism, she brings a strong journalistic foundation to her work. Her prior newsroom experience equips her to deliver sharp, insightful, and engaging content on the latest trends in the digital world.
Related Articles
