Netflix is making waves in the gaming world by acquiring the Estonian startup Ready Player Me, which specializes in creating technology for gaming avatars. The exact financial details of the deal haven’t been disclosed, but it marks another step in Netflix’s strategy to expand its gaming offerings.
Ready Player Me focuses on enabling avatars and identities to move seamlessly across various games. CEO Timmu Tõke expressed excitement about joining Netflix and hopes the partnership will help their technology reach a broader audience.
Netflix confirmed that 20 members from Ready Player Me will become part of its team, though only CTO Rainer Selvet will stay on in an executive role. Many aspects of this acquisition remain unclear, such as when Netflix will launch gaming avatars or what specific games they will support.
As a result of the buyout, Ready Player Me announced it will close its existing services, including its PlayerZero avatar-maker tool, by January 31, 2026. The company has collaborated with major names like Ubisoft and Nvidia, providing tools that help developers create avatars compatible with different game engines and art styles.
Netflix has treated its gaming investments as a trial to discover what appeals to its audience. This approach has led to some challenges, prompting the company to shift its focus towards mobile and casual games. In July, Netflix announced plans to intensify its gaming initiatives.
In a separate but related move, Netflix is also pursuing a buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would include some of their gaming assets. This has sparked competition, with rival Paramount making its own enticing offer for Warner Bros., aiming for a more comprehensive acquisition.
This shift in Netflix’s strategy comes at a time when many are curious about how streaming services will compete in the gaming landscape. A recent survey revealed that over 40% of gamers express interest in playing games on platforms they already subscribe to, such as Netflix. This could indicate strong potential for Netflix’s gaming direction.
Overall, as Netflix continues to explore the gaming realm, potential partnerships and acquisitions will shape its future in this competitive market.
For more information on Netflix’s gaming strategy, check out TechCrunch.
