Netflix began it’s big push into the gaming sphere in 2021, after hiring Mike Verdu (previously of EA) as VP of gaming, and started to allow members play selected mobile games for free as part of their Netflix subscription.
In 2023 they went even further, hiring Chacko Sonny (Blizzard) to build the company’s AAA studio – Team Blue. 2023 saw the additon of Joseph Staten (Bungie/343i) and Rafael Grassetti (Sony Santa Monica). Joseph Staten was particularly big news – as he moved away 343i as Creative Lead to join the studio, announcing on his twitter he was the new “creative director for a brand-new AAA multiplatform game and original IP".
So it comes as a huge shock that only one year later in October 2024, Netflix has closed Team Blue and the 3 big names associated with it are no longer working with the Film and TV subscription owner.
Over the past year a few small titles have been launched on Netflix Games – such as Cosy Grove: Camp Spirit – alongside the acquisition of a few mobile game studios. They even announced some exclusives at Gamescom Opening Night Live this year. Monument Valley 3, was a big surprise given the popularity of the last two titles, and it really looked like Netflix was making moves to expand their gaming footprint over the coming years.
But it had yet to deliver (or even announce) an exclusive AAA game from the Team Blue studio. And with the confirmation that it’s now closed it looks like they may be hitting the breaks on their big push into the gaming market.
Still it’ll be interesting to see what the likes of Joseph Staten and Rafael Grassetti get up to next, and if they ever give any insight into what happened over at Team Blue.
