Netflix’s venture into gaming has hit another roadblock, as the company has laid off employees from Night School Studio, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Oxenfree series. The layoffs come as part of Netflix’s ongoing restructuring efforts in its gaming division.
Layoffs at Night School Studio
Night School Studio, which was acquired by Netflix in 2021, has reportedly seen job cuts affecting an undisclosed number of employees. While Netflix has not provided an official statement on the exact reasons behind the layoffs, sources suggest that the move is part of a broader effort to streamline its gaming initiatives.
The studio, best known for Oxenfree and its sequel, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, was one of Netflix’s key acquisitions in its push toward interactive entertainment. However, as Netflix continues to reassess its gaming strategy, some development teams have faced unexpected changes.
What This Means for Night School Studio’s Future
With the layoffs in place, fans are now questioning the fate of future Night School Studio projects. The team was expected to work on new narrative-driven experiences under Netflix’s umbrella, but the recent downsizing may impact upcoming releases.
While Netflix remains committed to gaming, the restructuring suggests that the company is focusing on refining its approach rather than expanding at an aggressive pace. This could mean a shift in how Netflix collaborates with internal and external development teams moving forward.
The Bigger Picture: Netflix’s Gaming Struggles
Netflix’s gaming ambitions have been met with mixed success. While the platform has introduced a growing library of mobile and cloud-based games, it has yet to establish a strong foothold in the highly competitive gaming market. These layoffs may indicate a reevaluation of its investment in first-party game development.
For Night School Studio employees affected by the layoffs, the gaming industry’s job market remains challenging but hopeful, with many studios actively hiring talent.
Final Thoughts
As Netflix continues to refine its gaming strategy, the impact on Night School Studio raises concerns about the stability of gaming ventures within the streaming giant’s ecosystem. Fans of Oxenfree and narrative-driven games will have to wait and see what the future holds for the studio and its upcoming projects.