Netflix, which is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene, has just shuttered its AAA game studio — before the team has even released a game. One could see this as a sign that Netflix, which is notably quick at cancelling shows, may be having second thoughts about its gaming plans. While the streaming giant has yet to say why, I think that AAA games are looking like risky bets nowadays, and Netflix may be making the right call at pulling out early.
Now, there have been plenty of articles about the death of the AAA games in recent years. But this year has seen the closure of several high-profile game studios such as Arkane Austin and Sony’s London Studio. The rising cost of AAA games, as well as the time taken to make them — five years seems like the minimum — mean that there’s a lot at stake. If an AAA game flops, there will likely be layoffs. Some studios may disappear entirely, as s…
