Netflix acquired Next Games, founded in 2013 and managed by Teemu Huuhtanen. Specializing in mobile games based on popular entertainment series such as the story-driven Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales based on one of Netflix’s most-watched series, the team has successfully created and directed live service games, with a worldwide fan base over the past years.
Netflix Games Vice President Mike Verdu made the following comments about the acquisition;
Since I joined Netflix last summer, our vision for games – to build a library of great games for our members to enjoy – has always been clear and simple. But to get there is no simple feat; it takes time to develop games that people love. So today, I am pleased to share that we have entered into an agreement to acquire Next Games, a developer and publisher of mobile games based in Helsinki, Finland.
Next Games develops engaging mobile games whose essence is to create an authentic and social fan experience. The company had around 120 employees at the end of 2021 and reported sales of around 27.2 million euros in 2020, with 95% of revenues from in-game purchases.
Mike Verdu continued his words as follows;
With a shared vision and passion for games, we are looking forward to welcoming Next Games in a city that is home to some of the best mobile game-makers in the world. Helsinki is also near other European cities with great talent, which will help expand our in-house game development capabilities. While we’re just getting started in games, I am confident that together with Next Games, we will be able to build a portfolio of world class games – with no ads and no in-app purchases – that will delight our members around the world.
