Netflix has shut down Squid Sport: Unleashed developer Boss Combat Leisure round three years after buying the studio.
Boss Combat CEO and co-founder David Rippy confirmed the information on LinkedIn and described the scenario as “tough.”
Notably, the U.S. studio was shuttered after Squid Sport: Unleashed—which continues to be lauded by Netflix for example of how its IPs can anchor immersive online game experiences—turned a worldwide chart-topper.
“I am very grateful for the time we had at Netflix. We labored with some superior individuals and made many video games that I’m very happy with, together with Squid Sport: Unleashed which hit #1 in 26 international locations,” wrote Rippy, who co-founded Boss Combat in 2013 alongside Invoice Jackson (CCO), and Scott Winsett (COO).
“You may see numerous Boss Fighters with related posts. Please contemplate them you probably have any open roles—they’re excellent individuals and true professionals through-and-through.”
Boss Combat has been torched simply over a 12 months after Netflix appointed Alain Tascan as president of video games following the departure of Mike Verdu. Tascan is trying to implement a brand new anchored on the event of occasion video games, kids’s titles, and narrative experiences.
Sport Developer understands Boss Combat was shuttered on account of that strategic pivot. Each of the studio’s titles—Netflix Tales and Squid Sport: Unleashed—will proceed to be supported by the streamer.
“This can be a much less—is extra technique on a number of recognized verticals”
Throughout a current earnings name on October 21, 2025, Netflix co-CEO and president Gregory Okay. Peters mentioned the corporate stays dedicated to its online game division however will probably be adopting a “much less is extra” technique shifting ahead.
“We have been constructing a ton of foundations for the previous couple of years, issues like the power simply to develop video games, to get these video games on to service, join video games with gamers, give them a high-quality expertise,” mentioned Peters.
“And going ahead, we’re constructing on high of that basis, however specializing in providing extra high-quality video games and few key genres and focusing on the suitable cohort of customers. So this can be a much less—is extra technique on a number of recognized verticals.”
Peters defined Netflix is eager to introduce “particular partaking occasion video games” that may be performed by whole households on the tv whereas utilizing their smartphones as controllers.
“The half that I like most about that is these video games are tremendous simple to entry. It is identical to our sequence and movies, you scroll the Video games tab, you decide no matter you need, click on it and also you’re in. You do not want a particular controller. That is key to this entry,” he added.
Peters mentioned Netflix will probably be investing “judiciously” in its online game enterprise to realize its objectives.
