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Next Games has raised $16.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Next Games.
Next Games has raised $16.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Next Games develops free-to-play mobile games, focusing on compelling and accessible gameplay experiences often derived from popular entertainment franchises. Operating as a Netflix Game Studio, the company crafts interactive titles inspired by both existing Netflix intellectual properties and fresh, original concepts. Their technical approach emphasizes engaging design and robust mobile performance to deliver broad appeal.
The company was founded in 2013 by Jaakko Jumisko, Joakim Achren, Kalle Hiitola, and Mikael Achren. These seasoned professionals identified an opportunity to create high-quality mobile gaming experiences, specifically leveraging well-known entertainment brands to reach a wide player base from inception. Their collective insight centered on combining strong narratives with intuitive mobile game mechanics.
Next Games’ products serve a global audience of mobile gamers, appealing to fans of popular series and those seeking new, immersive entertainment. The company’s long-term vision, particularly as part of Netflix, is to deepen player engagement with beloved stories and to expand the scope of interactive entertainment available on mobile platforms. They aim to continuously deliver innovative gaming experiences.
Next Games has raised $16.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Next Games's investors include Jari Ovaskainen, IDG Ventures, Adeyemi Ajao, Griffin Gaming Partners, AMC Networks, IDG Capital, Lionsgate, Lowercase Capital.
Next Games has raised $16.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series B in January 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2016 | $10M Series B | Jari Ovaskainen, IDG Ventures | Adeyemi Ajao, Griffin Gaming Partners, AMC Networks, IDG Capital, Lionsgate, Lowercase Capital | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2014 | $6M Series A | Jari Ovaskainen | Adeyemi Ajao, Griffin Gaming Partners | Announced |
Key people at Next Games.
Next Games is a Finnish mobile game development studio specializing in free-to-play titles inspired by popular Netflix shows and movies.[1][2] Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Helsinki, the company creates engaging, social mobile games with global appeal, blending Finnish game development expertise with Netflix's entertainment culture; it was acquired by Netflix in 2022 to expand its gaming portfolio.[1][2][3]
The studio serves Netflix's vast audience of streaming subscribers by building innovative free-to-play experiences tied to hit IP like TV series and films, solving the challenge of extending viewer engagement into interactive gaming with easy, compelling gameplay.[1][2][3] Post-acquisition, Next Games operates as a Netflix game studio, leveraging the platform's resources for growth in mobile gaming momentum.[1]
Next Games was founded in 2013 in Helsinki, Finland, by Teemu Huuhtanen, who leads the company as its key figure.[2][3] Emerging from Finland's strong game development scene—known for studios like Supercell—the idea took shape around creating free-to-play mobile games with authentic social elements and global reach, prioritizing simple yet addictive gameplay.[2]
Early traction came from building engaging titles that resonated worldwide, culminating in a pivotal 2022 acquisition by Netflix, which recognized Next Games' expertise in Netflix-inspired content and integrated it into the streaming giant's push into gaming.[1][3] This merger combined local Finnish innovation with global entertainment scale, marking a key evolution from independent developer to part of a major media ecosystem.[1]
Next Games stands out in mobile gaming through these key strengths:
Next Games rides the wave of streaming platforms expanding into gaming, capitalizing on the trend where IP-driven content blurs lines between watching and playing—exemplified by Netflix's gaming pivot to retain subscribers amid cord-cutting and app fatigue.[1][3] Timing is ideal post-2022 acquisition, as mobile free-to-play booms with 3 billion+ gamers, fueled by cross-media franchises and cloud delivery.
Market forces like rising demand for social, bite-sized gaming favor Next Games, amplifying Netflix's ecosystem influence by turning passive viewers into active players and setting a model for media-gaming convergence.[1][2][3] This positions the studio as a catalyst in Finland's exportable game dev scene, influencing how Big Tech integrates entertainment verticals.
Next Games is primed to scale Netflix-exclusive titles, potentially launching more IP-tied hits that deepen user loyalty. Trends like AI-enhanced personalization, AR/VR tie-ins, and global esports will shape its path, evolving its role from niche developer to core Netflix gaming pillar. As streaming battles intensify, expect Next Games to drive measurable growth, reinforcing how targeted acquisitions like this fuel tech-entertainment synergy—echoing its origin as a Finnish innovator now powering global play.
