Netflix has reportedly closed down considered one of its inside growth studios, often called “Workforce Blue”, with a number of of the high-profile employees related to mentioned studio now not working on the firm.
In line with Recreation File’s Stephen Totilo, Workforce Blue, which boasted the involvement of the likes of ex-Overwatch producer Chacko Sonny and former Halo artistic lead Joseph Staten, has been shut down.
Staten first joined Netflix’s Workforce Blue again in April final 12 months, asserting that he was serving as artistic director on “a brand-new AAA multiplatform and unique IP”. Sadly, it appears to be like like that venture will not be coming to fruition now.
On condition that Netflix hasn’t made any sort of official announcement concerning the closure of Workforce Blue (which technically does not even have an official identify), we do not know why the studio was disbanded, assuming that Totilo’s report is appropriate.
Nevertheless, Netflix is not the one tech big to be shutting down sport studios or remodeling tasks. Amazon, for example, laid off over 180 workers throughout its gaming division in late 2023, and the corporate’s gaming phase is seemingly nonetheless looking for the “hook” for its upcoming Lord of the Rings MMO.
With many studios being hit by layoffs, closures, or venture modifications, it is totally attainable that Netflix merely underestimated the money and time it could require to launch a big-budget unique IP, and the reality of that scenario is catching up with it now.
It is also attainable that the venture merely wasn’t progressing as Netflix wished it to, or that latest high-profile failures scared the tech big into slicing its losses. With out an official purpose, it’s extremely troublesome to say.
Technically, Totilo and Recreation File do not say that Workforce Blue’s in-development venture is being canceled, so it is attainable Netflix will proceed work on the sport, though doing so with out its key artistic personnel would appear a contact foolhardy.
We’ll have to attend and see what Netflix is planning with reference to the way forward for its involvement within the gaming business. Keep tuned for extra.