Last year, Netflix announced the launch of its mobile game offerings for subscribers of the entertainment streaming platform. Since then, the entertainment conglomerate has been expanding its catalogue of mobile games by acquiring several game development companies. Recently, Netflix announced another such acquisition; Dallas-based Boss Fight Entertainment joined Netflix last week to help accelerate the company’s game offerings across genres. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Netflix’s mobile game selection is available ad-free for all subscribers, a shakeup in the mobile gaming industry that typically relies on ads and in-game purchases to stay afloat. According to the founders of Boss Fight, the absence of ads and in-game purchases is exactly what appealed to them about the acquisition.
“Boss Fight’s mission is to bring simple, beautiful and fun game experiences to our players wherever they want to play,” the founders of Boss Fight said in a statement. “Netflix’s commitment to offer ad-free games as part of members’ subscriptions enables game developers like us to focus on creating delightful game play without worrying about monetization. We couldn’t be more excited to join Netflix at this early stage as we continue doing what we love to do while helping to shape the future of games on Netflix together.”
While still in the early stages of its mobile gaming offerings, Netflix already has a number of mobile games available through the iOS and Android app. Some are based off the streamer’s existing media properties such as Stranger Things, while others are completely original games developed by previously acquired or third-party gaming companies. Earlier this month, Netflix announced plans to acquire Finnish gaming company Next Games after previously working together on Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, a story-driven puzzle role-playing game.
“Since we launched mobile games to our members around the world just four months ago, we’ve been expanding our games catalog bit by bit as we build out our in-house creative development team,” Netflix VP of Game Studios Amir Rahimi said in a statement. “[Boss Fight’s] extensive experience building hit games across genres will help accelerate our ability to provide Netflix members with great games wherever they want to play them.”
Boss Fight plans to still work out of its Allen headquarters, giving Netflix talent sources from outside its California hub. Rahimi also said in a statement that the company continues to build out its gaming department by partnering with developers, hiring new talent, and by making future acquisitions.
Netflix’s acquisition of Boss Fight isn’t the only gaming news to grab headlines in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro of late. Earlier this month, Farmers Branch-based game developer Worldspark raised a $3 million seed funding round, and last fall, two local esports companies announced their merger to expand their opportunities in gaming competitions.
