Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Scabby versus Sharma, Twitch's GenAI admission, and Netflix shutters more studios - Patch Notes #65
Netflix has closed two more internal game studios, Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, despite recent success with its cloud gaming launches. Meanwhile, Twitch confirmed it will use user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default. In other news, union workers protested Xbox's layoffs with a large inflatable rat and red flags, while the game 'Big Walk' surpassed one million sales and a game preservation project regained funding after previous cuts.
Netflix's gaming "secret weapon" is no more - Oxenfree studio Night School is to close
Netflix has closed Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree and Unhinged, as part of a strategic shift to focus on more mainstream games. The company also shut down Moonloot and is reportedly cutting jobs from its internal games team. This move signifies a reduction in Netflix's gaming ambitions, moving away from experimental and narrative-driven titles.
"I don't see why people are scared of it" – ShipShaper developer Tomas Sala on why indies shouldn't be stressing about GTA6
ShipShaper developer Tomas Sala believes indie developers shouldn't fear the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, as its audience is distinct from that of niche indie titles. He argues that while the industry faces challenges, it is currently a golden age for indie creativity, and success can be found by focusing on specific niches and understanding market fit. Sala also discusses his own business-minded approach to game development, emphasizing the importance of financial stability for creative freedom.
Marvel's Spider-Man 3 Already In Production
Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man 3 is reportedly already in production, according to an IMDb listing. While the studio is currently focused on marketing Marvel's Wolverine and potentially a Venom standalone game, the existence of a page for the third Spider-Man installment suggests significant progress. This news comes despite no official announcement from Insomniac or Sony.
Netflix shutters Night School Studio and Moonloot Games
Netflix has closed its internal game development studios Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, alongside eliminating additional roles within its gaming division. Night School Studio, known for Oxenfree and its sequel, recently released Unhinged. This move leaves Next Games as Netflix's sole internal studio, as the company refines its gaming strategy around four key pillars.
Netflix Closes Two More Studios
Netflix has closed two more of its game development studios, Night School and Moonloot, as part of a strategic shift to focus on games for kids, party games, story-driven titles, and games with mainstream hooks. This follows recent layoffs at Refactor Games, despite the success of their cloud-based titles like 'Unhinged'.
Games Inbox: What character do you most associate with PlayStation?
Readers discuss which characters are most associated with PlayStation, with Lara Croft and Crash Bandicoot being strong contenders for the PlayStation 1 era, while Kratos and Aloy are mentioned for the PlayStation 5. The discussion also touches on the perceived lack of iconic mascots for Sony and the development of games like Hogwarts Legacy and Grand Theft Auto 6.
Netflix Announces Closure of Night School Studios and Moonlot
Netflix is shutting down its game development studios Night School Studio and Moonloot, and has confirmed job cuts within its games division. The company stated it aims to focus on more family-friendly and mainstream-appealing games. Night School Studio, known for narrative titles like Oxenfree, was acquired by Netflix in 2021.
Marvel’s Wolverine’s Physical Disc is Fully Playable, But Downloading the Day 1 Patch is “Encouraged”
Insomniac Games has confirmed that Marvel's Wolverine will be fully playable on its physical disc at launch, though downloading the day-one patch is encouraged for polish and bug fixes. The game is set to release on September 15th for PlayStation 5, focusing on a world where mutants are outsiders and Logan grapples with anger management issues.
Small Axe Studios is a New AAA Team Under 2K Working on a New Sports Franchise
2K Games has established a new AAA development studio in Vancouver called Small Axe Studios, led by industry veterans including Aaron McHardy and Gary Paterson. The studio is focused on creating a new sports franchise, though the specific sport has not yet been revealed. Several key leadership and development roles have been filled by individuals with extensive experience in sports game development at companies like Electronic Arts.
Night School Staff Speak Out After Netflix Shuts Down Developer Following 'Top Tier' Launch of Unhinged
Netflix has closed its Los Angeles-based game studio, Night School Studio, known for the psychological thrillers Oxenfree and Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. The closure comes despite the 'top tier' launch of its latest title, Unhinged.
Netflix shuts down Oxenfree studio Night School weeks after praising its 'really solid numbers'
Netflix has shut down Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree, despite recently praising the studio's game 'Unhinged' for its strong performance. The closure comes as a surprise following positive remarks about the studio's numbers.
If you're not paying attention to retro game recompilations, you're missing the most exciting thing in gaming…
The article argues that retro game recompilations, which involve reverse-engineering and rewriting old game code for modern hardware, represent the most exciting development in gaming. These fan-made projects offer enhanced graphics, accessibility options, and improved performance, often surpassing official preservation efforts. While facing challenges like low-effort AI-generated content, the scene is rapidly growing with numerous notable recompilations and more anticipated.
Five years after acquiring Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, Netflix are shutting them down
Netflix has shut down Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree and Afterparty, five years after acquiring it. The streaming giant also closed Moonloot, another owned studio, and made unspecified cuts to its internal games team. This decision comes six weeks after the release of Night School's latest game, Unhinged.
Netflix closes Oxenfree developer Night School, just a month after praising its new game as one of the company's…
Netflix has closed developer Night School Studio, known for games like Oxenfree and Unhinged, less than two months after praising Unhinged's success. The company also announced layoffs within its Games business as it shifts focus. This follows Netflix's acquisition of Night School in 2021 and previous studio closures.
Fans Think They Cracked The Elder Scrolls 6 Subtitle — And It Was Hiding in Starfield Since 2023
Fans believe they have deciphered the subtitle for The Elder Scrolls 6, which was reportedly hidden within Starfield as an employee number. The number, 190514-2009140512, decodes to 'Sentinel,' matching the eight asterisks used by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to describe the game's subtitle. Former Bethesda writer Michael Kirkbride seemingly confirmed the theory with a simple 'yep.'
Netflix closing Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Moonloot Games
Netflix has closed Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Helsinki-based Moonloot Games, while also eliminating additional roles within its games division. The company stated it is refocusing its strategy on key areas like cloud and kids games, shifting away from mobile-first titles. This move follows a pattern of Netflix shutting down acquired studios and comes as the company partners with Rockstar Games for a Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer debut.
Former Uncharted Dev On Possible New Remake Or Remaster: “What’s The Point?”
Benson Russell, a designer on the original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, questions the necessity of a remake or remaster for the 2007 game, stating it's still relevant and available on modern platforms. He suggests a new entry in the franchise would be more valuable than a "cash grab" remake, a sentiment echoed by past Sony considerations. While some developers like Shigeru Miyamoto defend remakes for introducing games to new audiences and funding new projects, Russell believes Naughty Dog should focus on creating new experiences.
Netflix is closing Night School Studio and Moonlot
Netflix is closing two of its game development studios, Night School Studio and Moonlot, as part of broader "organizational changes." Night School Studio is known for creating the game Oxenfree, and recently released Unhinged. Moonlot, founded in 2022, had not released any games prior to its closure.
Pearl Abyss Q2 2026: Crimson Desert tapers off, Black Desert flattens, DokeV eyes 2028
Pearl Abyss's Q2 2026 financial report indicates that Crimson Desert sold 2.11 million copies but saw a revenue decline post-launch, while Black Desert revenue remained flat year-over-year. The company is targeting a second-half 2028 release for DokeV and is continuing development on Plan 8, though marketing for DokeV is not expected until late 2027.
