Netflix has announced plans to acquire Finnish mobile games company Next Games.

The Helsinki-based games developer, which was launched in 2013, specialises in mobile games based on popular entertainment franchises. This includes Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, a story-driven puzzle role-playing game based on the Netflix series.

Netflix launched its new mobile game service in November last year.

The streaming service first announced it was in the early stages of expanding into the gaming market in July 2021

At the time, the business said that it was building on earlier efforts around interactivity as seen in its Black Mirror Bandersnatch and Stranger Things games.

“Since I joined Netflix last summer, our vision for games - to build a library of great games for our members to enjoy - has always been clear and simple,” said Mike Verdu, vice president – games, Netflix. “But to get there is no simple feat; it takes time to develop games that people love.

“So today, I am pleased to share that we have entered into an agreement to acquire Next Games, a developer and publisher of mobile games based in Helsinki, Finland.”

Netflix shares took a tumble in January as the streaming giant forecast lower new subscriber numbers for the start of the year than anticipated by analysts.

The company saw paid memberships increase by 8.3 million in the final quarter of 2021, bringing the total number of subscriptions up to 222 million at the end of the year.

“While we’re just getting started in games, I am confident that together with Next Games, we will be able to build a portfolio of world class games - with no ads and no in-app purchases - that will delight our members around the world," added Verdu.

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