Netflix and MMO? Don’t mind if I do!
 

Greetings my fellow aliens! If you haven’t heard yet – yesterday, at GDC, Netflix announced their first step into the MMO genre! Yeah. You read that right. The game is called Spirit Crossing and oh boy if my Studio Ghibli Spirited Away senses aren’t tingling! As another major swing into the gaming market, Netflix is charging up developer Spry Fox (one of Netflix’s in-house game dev studios) at creating this bustling, very interesting, and creatively attractive MMO experience! 
 

As we gamers know, the MMO genre presents both opportunities and challenges. Social sim elements are likely to appeal to fans of games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, providing a space for creative expression and community building. However, success will depend on how well Netflix integrates its gaming platform into its existing streaming ecosystem and whether it can attract new players and retain a loyal player base. 

It seems though that Spry Fox is cooking up a ton of different aspects to this one for players to experience together! We saw a few instances in the video above – from building a house with your crew, to fishing with your friends, to creating a new band, and even solving various puzzles together, it appears there will always be at least something to do. Not to mention that it looks like players will have a ghostly friend by their side that you can customize? If we know one thing about MMOs, social status reigns supreme when it comes to cosmetics! Definitely interested to see how that pans out. 
 

While Netflix's previous gaming ventures have seen mixed results, the concept behind Spirit Crossing suggests a strong understanding of what today’s gamers are seeking: low-stress, social experiences with immersive storytelling. With cozy gaming on the rise, Spirit Crossing could become a standout title if it captures the warmth and charm that Spry Fox is known for. 

As development progresses, it will be interesting to see how Netflix positions the game within its broader entertainment landscape. Will we see tie-ins with Netflix series or exclusive in-game content? For now, all eyes are on Spirit Crossing to see how it will fare in the ever-evolving gaming space.  

Have you tried any of Netflix’s games yet? What are your thoughts on an MMO on a Netflix platform? And really, platforms aside, what do you think about the game itself? Let’s chat about it below!