Netflix has officially shut down Boss Fight Entertainment, the gaming studio responsible for developing the mobile title *Squid Game: Unleashed*, as confirmed by multiple posts from current and former employees on LinkedIn. This decision effectively brings to a close the studio’s brief but notable chapter under Netflix’s ownership and comes at a time when the company appears to be refining and recalibrating its wider gaming ambitions.
Netflix originally acquired Boss Fight Entertainment in March 2022, a move that was heralded as a major step forward in the streaming giant’s evolving strategy to become a meaningful player in interactive entertainment. At the time of acquisition, a Netflix executive publicly praised the team’s expertise, emphasizing that Boss Fight’s vast experience creating acclaimed titles across diverse genres would accelerate Netflix’s capability to deliver high-quality gaming experiences to its subscribers anywhere and on any device. This statement captured the optimism surrounding the deal, reflecting Netflix’s belief that the inclusion of experienced developers like those at Boss Fight would bolster its fledgling games division.
Following the studio’s integration into Netflix, Boss Fight quickly made headlines for its work on *Squid Game: Unleashed*, the mobile adaptation inspired by the streaming platform’s enormously successful series. Netflix repeatedly highlighted the game’s global performance, proudly declaring that it had become the number one free action game in an impressive 107 countries upon its initial release. The accomplishment was not only a milestone for the developer but also an early validation of Netflix’s efforts to connect its entertainment franchises with interactive formats. During the company’s most recent earnings call, co-CEO Greg Peters specifically referenced *Unleashed* as a prime example of the types of narrative-driven titles that Netflix hopes to produce more frequently—games that extend the storytelling universe of its popular shows and films into the gaming landscape.
Despite these public successes, over three years after its acquisition and amid a gradual reshaping of Netflix’s gaming vision, the company has made the decision to close Boss Fight Entertainment. Netflix representatives, when approached for clarification or comment regarding the rationale behind the closure, chose not to provide any official statement. The absence of an explanation has led observers and industry professionals to speculate that the shutdown might be part of a broader realignment, as Netflix continues to balance its streaming heritage with its newer ambitions in the competitive gaming market.
In the wake of the closure, tributes and reactions from key members of Boss Fight began appearing on social media. Studio co-founder and former CEO David Rippy acknowledged the news with a message that was both candid and heartfelt. He thanked the many colleagues and supporters who reached out in response, describing the situation as undeniably difficult but also expressing deep gratitude for the time spent under Netflix’s umbrella. Similarly, David Luehmann, who served as a director of game development at the studio, shared his reflections on his decade-long tenure at Boss Fight, noting that although the ending was bittersweet, he remained extremely proud of the talented individuals, the collective achievements, and the titles they had brought to market. His parting comments hinted at unfulfilled projects—creative efforts in progress that would now never reach the public—leaving followers to wonder what could have been next for the team.
The closure of Boss Fight Entertainment also comes amid a broader wave of turbulence and contraction affecting the global gaming industry. Numerous companies, even those with successful or highly anticipated titles, have been forced to reduce costs and staff. For instance, job cuts recently affected the team at Funcom, the developer behind *Dune: Awakening*, despite that game’s prominent profile. In parallel, layoffs struck Cloud Chamber, the studio currently developing the next installment in the *BioShock* franchise, underscoring the continued volatility of the interactive entertainment sector. Within this unpredictable landscape, Netflix’s decision does not stand in isolation but rather reflects the ongoing adjustments made by major players seeking sustainable growth in a challenging economic climate.
It is worth recalling that this is not the first time Netflix has reconsidered its approach to gaming. Just last year, before delivering a single released title, the company shuttered its own in-house AAA studio—another indicator of caution and strategic reappraisal. Currently, Netflix’s gaming roadmap appears to emphasize more accessible, social-oriented offerings, specifically focusing on multiplayer party games designed for play on television sets while using smartphones as controllers. Co-CEO Greg Peters reiterated this direction during the latest earnings call, stating that Netflix intends to expand into interactive storytelling and gaming with careful deliberation, describing the company’s pace as “judicious.” This phrasing suggests a deliberate, step-by-step expansion—one aiming to maintain creative experimentation while avoiding overextension.
In essence, the closure of Boss Fight Entertainment represents both the end of a promising partnership and a telling marker in Netflix’s evolving experiment with games. It underscores how even well-regarded teams and recognized successes can be vulnerable to shifting corporate strategies and economic realities. For employees, it marks the conclusion of an ambitious journey; for Netflix, it signals yet another recalibration in its ongoing effort to define what role interactive entertainment will ultimately play within its vast ecosystem of storytelling.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/806303/netflix-squid-game-unleashed-boss-fight-entertainment-studio-shut-down
