Netflix Layoffs Hit Oxenfree Developer Night School Studio

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Summary

  • Night School Studio, creator of Oxenfree, faces layoffs by Netflix, impacting an undisclosed number of employees.
  • The anonymous workers noted the layoffs were announced back in January 2025 and the news came as a shock.
  • Layoffs at Night School Studio add to a global trend affecting game developers like Crytek.

Netflix recently announced job cuts affecting the development team behind the game Oxenfree, which is created by Night School Studio. The exact number of employees being let go has not been specified yet. Night School Studio is an American video game developer established in 2014 by Sean Krankel and Adam Hines, and it was previously acquired by Netflix. Besides Oxenfree, the studio has also released games like Afterparty and Next Stop Nowhere. They are set to launch Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals in 2023.

In 2016, Night School Studio introduced its first game, a graphic adventure titled Oxenfree. This game puts players in the shoes of teenager Alex as they explore a mysterious island filled with supernatural events. Known for its compelling storyline that draws inspiration from coming-of-age television shows and lacking conventional cutscenes, Oxenfree has garnered widespread critical acclaim, often being recognized as one of the most underestimated narrative-focused games available.

It has been learned through a Game Developer’s report that several workers at Night School Studio have been let go under Netflix Games. This move occurred despite Netflix acquiring Night School Studio last year, marking their entry into the video game industry. Notably, the layoffs will not impact the ongoing projects at the studio. The employees who spoke on condition of anonymity mentioned that they were informed about these job cuts in January, a revelation that came as a surprise to everyone involved.

Oxenfree Developer Night School Studio Hit With Layoffs by Netflix

Although Netflix Games initially launched with high expectations in the video game sector, it has recently canceled six titles scheduled for release, including “Don’t Starve Together” and “Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game.” The company declined to comment on layoffs when approached by Game Developer. Moreover, this move is said to be part of Netflix’s efforts to restructure its gaming business following the closure of triple-A studio Team Blue in October 2024. New recruit Alain Tascan, a former executive vice president of development at Epic Games, previously expressed optimism about Netflix’s potential to “reshape the future of gaming.” Additionally, Mike Verdu, the previous head of Netflix Games, moved to his new role as VP of GenAI, aiming to integrate generative AI technologies into Netflix’s game development.

Unfortunately, Night School Studio’s layoffs are part of a prolonged trend where numerous game developers worldwide have faced similar difficulties. This includes the surprising termination of the Marvel Rivals development team, despite the hero shooter experiencing tremendous success since its release in December 2024. Other studios recently impacted by layoffs include Crytek, known for creating the Crysis series, 10:10 Games, developers of Funko Fusion, and the Smite team at Hi-Rez Studios.

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2025-02-19 18:39