Netflix has acquired mobile game developer Stranger Things as it continues its gaming endeavor. The Finnish studio Next Games was bought for about 65 million euros (72 million dollars), and the deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2022, as noted by Crwe World.
Currently, Next Level has three games under its belt: Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, The Walking Dead: Our World and The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land.
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Netflix Gaming Vice President Michael Verdue, whom the company hired last year to declare its intentions in game development, said Next Games would be a key component to those plans.
“Next Games has an experienced management team, strong experience with mobile games based on entertainment franchises, and solid operational capabilities,” said Verdu. “We are excited that Next Games will join Netflix as a major studio in a strategic region and a key talent market, expanding our internal gaming studio capabilities.
“As we begin our games, I am confident that with Next Games we will be able to build a portfolio of world-class games that will delight our members around the world.”
This is in line with Netflix’s statement in January that it aims to be the “absolute best” gaming service in the industry, expanding its list of titles in 2022. Netflix began launching its gaming service for subscribers in November and in currently has twelve games, including Stranger Things 3: The Game and the Card Blast.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who sometimes remembers tweeting @thelastdinsdale.