Netflix Expands Gaming Portfolio with Ready Player Me Acquisition

Netflix has expanded its gaming portfolio by acquiring Ready Player Me, an avatar-creation platform based in Estonia. This acquisition comes as Netflix shifts its gaming strategy to focus on games played on television, aiming to enhance user engagement.

Ready Player Me's technology allows users to carry their avatars across different games, with the company planning to integrate these features into Netflix's gaming offerings. The team of around 20 employees from Ready Player Me will join Netflix, although only CTO Rainer Selvet is moving to the company from the four founders.

Following the acquisition, Ready Player Me will discontinue its services, including the online avatar creation tool, PlayerZero, by January 31, 2026. Netflix's new approach includes a focus on approachable multiplayer titles and adaptations of its IP, moving away from AAA game development.

Under the leadership of Alain Tascan, formerly of Epic Games, Netflix has introduced a slate of party games and plans to release a FIFA title in time for the World Cup in 2026. The success of Netflix's strategy to transform its brand from passive viewing to interactive gaming remains to be seen.