Netflix Shuts Down Its AAA Studio Without Releasing Any Games

In a surprising move, Netflix has shut down its Southern California-based AAA gaming studio, Team Blue, without releasing a single game. While Netflix has ventured into gaming by bringing existing games to mobile and PC platforms, their effort to create original AAA titles has now come to an abrupt end.

Netflix’s Dream of AAA Gaming Ends

The closure of Team Blue, first reported by Game File, comes as a shock to many. The studio, which was established in 2022, had hired several prominent figures in the gaming industry. Names like Chacko Sonny, executive producer of Overwatch, and Joseph Staten, the creative lead on Halo at Bungie and 343 Industries, were part of this ambitious project.

According to reports, Joseph Staten was working on an original multi-platform AAA game, which many hoped would be a standout title for Netflix. The company seemed to be setting the foundation for a unique game that could expand into a larger multimedia universe. However, these plans have been shelved, and Team Blue is now officially closed.

Game File has reported that many industry veterans, such as Jerry Edsall, former lead programmer on Gears 5, and Rafael Grassetti, art director at Santa Monica Studio, have left the company. Their future projects and roles remain unclear as Netflix has not issued any public statements on the matter.

This news raises questions about Netflix’s commitment to the gaming world. It’s a big setback after their significant investments and efforts in building a AAA studio.