Netflix Closes Studio Responsible for Popular Narrative Game Oxenfree

Netflix is making some significant changes to its gaming division, leading to the closure of two studios: Night School Studio, known for its work on Oxenfree, and Moonloot.

A representative from Netflix explained that this decision is part of a strategic pivot towards focusing on specific genres, including kids’ games, party games, narrative-driven titles, and those with broader appeal. This shift comes after the company previously highlighted the FIFA World Cup game as a major success, only to later shut down the studio responsible for it.

The spokesperson noted, “We see an opportunity to be more focused in our execution, so we are making organizational changes to the business to match those priorities.”

While Night School and Moonloot are shutting down completely, Netflix is also reducing its workforce within its internal development teams, although they did not disclose specific numbers.

The closure of Night School is particularly disappointing for fans, as the studio has produced some memorable narrative experiences over its 12-year history. Oxenfree, a supernatural adventure that won over many players in 2016, received a sequel in 2023. My personal favorite from the studio is 2019’s Afterparty, where players help two characters navigate hell in a drinking contest against Satan to return to the living world. Recently, they also launched a mobile game called Unhinged, featuring the voice of Sadie Sink from Spider-Man and Stranger Things.

Moonloot, established in 2022, was developing an Animal Crossing-style life simulation game but did not release any titles before its closure. After a period of heavy investment in internal game development, Netflix is now shifting its focus towards external collaborations and more casual gaming experiences.