The Impact of Netflix on Night School Studio

The acquisition of Night School Studio by Netflix has brought about significant changes for the developer, best known for its narrative-driven game Oxenfree. With the release of Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, the studio is poised to showcase its continued commitment to crafting immersive, story-driven experiences. According to Sean Krankel, founder and studio director, the Netflix acquisition has altered various aspects of the studio's operations without compromising its core mission or culture. The studio has relocated to a Netflix office, providing access to improved facilities and resources, including a state-of-the-art recording facility and collaboration with branding experts from the TV and film industries. Furthermore, Night School has expanded its team, doubling the size of the internal Oxenfree 2 team, and has been able to hire specialized roles that were previously outsourced. The studio's ability to translate its games into multiple languages has also improved, with Oxenfree 2 being released in over 30 languages. Krankel emphasizes that the acquisition has not led to any meddling from Netflix, allowing the studio to maintain its creative autonomy. One potential area of exploration for Night School is adapting its IPs, such as Oxenfree, into other forms of media like TV shows or movies, leveraging Netflix's expertise in these areas. Overall, the partnership between Night School and Netflix has yielded positive results, enabling the studio to produce games that align with its vision while benefiting from the resources and guidance provided by the streaming giant.