Netflix Shuts Down Night School Studio, Developer of Oxenfree, Five Years After Acquisition

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Netflix Shuts Down Night School Studio, Developer of Oxenfree, Five Years After Acquisition

**Netflix’s Shift in Gaming Strategy: The Closure of Night School Studio and Moonloot**

In a significant shift in its gaming strategy, Netflix has announced the shutdown of Night School Studio, known for its acclaimed titles like *Oxenfree* and *Afterparty*. This decision comes just six weeks after the release of their latest game, *Unhinged*, which was exclusive to the platform. The acquisition of Night School in 2021 marked Netflix’s first major move into gaming as part of its strategy to diversify its entertainment offerings beyond film and television.

Alongside the closure of Night School, Netflix also shuttered Moonloot, another studio that had yet to release any games. This action reflects a broader organizational shift within the company, as outlined in a statement from a Netflix spokesperson. The representative emphasized the need for a more focused approach, stating, “We see an opportunity to be more focused in our execution, so we are making organizational changes to the business to match those priorities.”

The closure also involved job cuts within Netflix’s internal games team, including the departure of their sole games accessibility staff member. The company expressed gratitude towards the departing employees, acknowledging their contributions and wishing them the best in future endeavors.

Night School Studio had built a reputation for its innovative storytelling and art style, contributing significantly to the indie gaming scene with titles that featured rich narratives and unique gameplay mechanics. Their work on the *Oxenfree* series has garnered critical acclaim, illustrating their potential in the gaming industry. Moonloot, while less established, was reportedly developing a game that drew inspiration from the *Animal Crossing* franchise, a project that will now remain unrealized.

Despite Netflix’s initial enthusiasm for expanding into gaming, this decision raises questions about the company’s long-term commitment to this sector. Over the past couple of years, Netflix has closed multiple gaming studios, raising concerns about their strategy and execution in the gaming landscape. For many observers, there remains a skepticism regarding whether Netflix’s forays into gaming will yield meaningful content or experiences for its subscribers.

The current situation has sparked solidarity within the gaming community for those affected by the closures, including employees from Night School, Moonloot, and Netflix’s internal teams. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the impact of Netflix’s decisions will be closely monitored, as the company navigates its role amidst the competitive gaming landscape.

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Four Essential Insights Regarding Pokémon Studio's Anticipated Action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation
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**Game Freak’s Upcoming Action RPG: Beast of Reincarnation**

Game Freak’s forthcoming action RPG *Beast of Reincarnation* is scheduled for release on August 4, 2023. As the studio behind the cherished *Pokémon* series, Game Freak seeks to explore new territory with this project, and initial reactions from a preview event suggest a favorable reception. Participants had a chance to interact with an early segment of the game, and while they found the experience enjoyable, many noted the necessity for time to fully understand the game’s mechanics and combat systems before delving further.

### Story and Narrative

The game initiates with a relatively sparse and enigmatic narrative that players will decipher as they move forward. The early parts lay the groundwork for an intriguing yet intricate post-apocalyptic tale. Key to the plot are the characters Emma and Koo, portrayed as entities with the power to fight against infected beings referred to as malefics. However, as highlighted by previewers, grasping the story may require time and encourages players to engage with the game environment for context.

### Gameplay Mechanics

While *Beast of Reincarnation* poses a challenge, several sources draw parallels to titles from FromSoftware, especially *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*. Nonetheless, it is suggested that, although the game presents difficulties, it may not be as unforgiving as prior Soulslike titles. Players will discover various options to tailor their playstyle through a magic system and abilities that can be activated in a paused state, allowing for strategic decision-making during combat.

Reviewers observed that the parry window in *Beast of Reincarnation* offers more leeway compared to *Sekiro*, permitting less precision and providing players with a wider array of strategic choices. This adaptability fosters experimentation with diverse approaches instead of mandating a singular playstyle.

### Learning Curve and Exploration

Despite the game’s captivating systems, players stressed the necessity of dedicating time to absorb the mechanics before tackling more formidable challenges. Feedback indicated that the early mechanical explanations were “too minimal,” resulting in a steep learning curve when faced with boss encounters. One reviewer remarked that by the time they confronted a notable boss—a massive stag known as a Nushi—they felt ill-prepared and lacking a grasp of essential game mechanics.

Exploration is enhanced by Emma’s canine ally Koo, who actively aids players in battles and searches for concealed items. Koo’s alerts vary, introducing a strategic dimension to both exploration and combat, and forging a strong connection reminiscent of themes from the *Pokémon* franchise, albeit in a darker setting.

### Conclusion

*Beast of Reincarnation* promises to offer a substantial action RPG experience featuring elements of challenge and collaboration between characters and their surroundings. As players look forward to its impending release, there is excitement about how the game will develop and whether it can provide a distinct narrative and gameplay experience that distinguishes itself from Game Freak’s established achievements. The title will be accessible on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S at launch.

RPS Verdict on Season 2 of the Fallout TV Show
RPS Verdict on Season 2 of the Fallout TV Show

The second series of Amazon’s Fallout adaptation has now fully emerged from the vault, its eight episodes having been plinked out gradually, rather than whipped out in one fell swoop. Naturally, one of us has taken in the show how its distributors intended, injecting a stimpak a week in calm and measured fashion. The other waited until all the episodes were out, and then injected them all at once like an unhinged adventurer blowing through half their chem stash in a mid-fight panic. I’ll let you try to work out which is which, here’s our verdict.

Major spoilers for season 2 of the Fallout TV Show lie ahead.

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