Streaming giant Netflix is selling developer Spry Fox back to the company's founders.
This is according to the game filewhich reveals that the studio is once again owned by co-founders David Edery and Daniel Cook. Spry Fox is going to continue work on the previously announced MMO Spirit Crossing, which Netflix will release on mobile devices. The studio has the opportunity to find publishers for the game on other platforms.
However, this newfound freedom comes at a cost. Either Spry Fox needs to secure funding to ensure its long-term sustainability, or Spirit Crossing needs to be a commercial success. The game also requires work to ensure monetization, as Netflix games are included in the platform's subscription, meaning this was not an initial consideration when the project was first developed.
“We are so grateful for our time at Netflix and our ongoing partnership to publish Spirit Crossing next year,” Edery said.
“Spirit Crossing was created to connect the world, bring people together, and inspire kindness, so being able to bring the game to as many players as possible across multiple platforms is truly the best thing about the game.”
Netflix acquired Spry Fox in November 2022.. This was when the streaming giant was making a big move into the gaming space; The Cozy Grove and Alphabear developer marks the company's fourth acquisition in 14 months and its sixth in-house studio.
Netflix has since changed its approach. In June 2024 The company's vice president of gaming, Mike Verdu, has been promoted to a new position within the company. – Vice President of Generative AI – before leaving in March this year. He was replaced at the head of Netflix's gaming business by Epic veteran Alain Taskan..
Netflix has closed its AAA studio Team Blue in California. in 2024, while cuts were made in the evening school studiowhich the company acquired in 2021.
In early 2025, Netflix announced that six previously announced games, including three from Klei Entertainment, weren't going to come to his platform. The firm said this was part of a decision to “accommodate [its] portfolio” to reflect “what our members like.”
In September 2024, Netflix stated that its games has been downloaded over 210 million times.
