Netflix sells game studio Spry Fox back to founders

Seattle-based game studio Spry Fox, which was founded in 2010 and acquired by Netflix in 2022, is set to become independent once again. This change comes as Netflix shifts its gaming strategy, leading to the studio being spun off. The founders of Spry Fox, David Edery, and Daniel Cook, will regain ownership of the studio.

This move mirrors the closure of Netflix’s Team Blue last year, a group of gaming veterans who were focused on creating a large-scale multi-platform game. With the evolution of Netflix’s gaming priorities in mid-2024, Spry Fox found itself outside of the streamer’s gaming strategy as well.

Unlike Team Blue, Spry Fox will not be closing down. Instead, the studio will return to its original status pre-Netflix acquisition. The development of their massively multiplayer online game, Spirit Crossing, will continue. Netflix plans to publish the game on mobile, while Spry Fox will have the freedom to explore other platforms for the game’s release.

David Edery expressed gratitude for the partnership with Netflix and the opportunity to bring Spirit Crossing to players across various platforms. The game was designed to foster connections, bring people together, and inspire kindness, making it important to reach as many players as possible.

Although Netflix has been downsizing its internal gaming operations, recent announcements indicate more of a shift in focus rather than a complete retreat. This change allows Spry Fox to continue its work on Spirit Crossing and explore new opportunities for the game’s release.