When Netflix acquired Texas-based developer Boss Fight Entertainment in March 2022, it was seen as a major step in the company’s gaming ambitions. The streamer wanted to move beyond experiments and start building a foundation that connected storytelling with interactivity. Boss Fight’s track record in mobile hits made it a natural fit for Netflix’s growing library of game adaptations.
And for a while, that strategy worked. Squid Game: Unleashed, developed by Boss Fight, climbed to the top of the charts and became the number one free action game in more than 100 countries. Co-CEO Greg Peters often cited the title as proof that Netflix could successfully turn its most popular shows into playable experiences. But downloads alone were not enough. The company continued to struggle with engagement, an area where it has yet to find a sustainable model that complements its streaming business.
Three years later, the story has taken a different turn. Netflix has quietly shut down Boss Fight Entertainment, according to LinkedIn posts from former employees. Many expressed gratitude for their time at the studio and hinted that a new project had been in development before the closure, one that may never be released.
Image credit: Netflix
The shutdown also reflects a wider trend across the gaming industry, where layoffs, restructuring, and closures have become increasingly common. Even within Netflix’s own ecosystem, this is not an isolated case. Last year, the company closed its internal AAA studio before it could release its first game.
Still, Netflix is not walking away from gaming. The company says its focus is shifting toward “party-style” experiences—interactive games that can be played on televisions using smartphones as controllers. Peters describes this as Netflix’s next phase, one that aims to bring lighter, social gameplay to the same screens people already use for streaming.
The takeaway
Netflix’s gaming ambitions are not fading, but they are being reshaped. After multiple studio closures, the real test is not whether Netflix can make good games. It is whether it can make ones that keep players engaged as consistently as viewers who binge its shows.
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