It’s official, Netflix has beaten out bids from Comcast and Paramount to become the new owner of Warner Bros. in a deal worth $82.7 billion. It was rumored throughout the year that Warner Bros had expressed interest in potential buyout deals with Comcast, which owns NBC/Universal and Paramount, now Paramount Skydance, but streaming giant Netflix will be the one taking the company under its wing. According to Netflix’s press release, the deal is worth nearly $83 billion and is expected to close once Warner Bros. Discovery’s current restructuring plan is completed.
The aforementioned plan sees WBD splitting its Streaming & Studios division from its Global Network Divisions, which it hopes to have finished by Q3 26. The GBN divisions would include sports, Discovery, and free-to-air channels in Europe, while the streaming division will include HBO (or whatever it may be called depending on the moment). Netflix is reportedly offering a $5 billion “breakup fee” should U.S. regulators block this buyout, but has stated it could save as much $2-$3 billion per year via cost savings if the deal is approved. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, who has been working on making the company fiscally solvent again following layoffs, restructuring, and other efforts, is hailing the deal as a big step forward for the company.
“Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most, For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.”
– David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery
Strangely enough, there was no specific mention of the WB Games division, which includes popular IPs such as Batman, Harry Potter, and Mortal Kombat. While WB Games has struggled to produce a hit with its DC comics-based games in recent years, it has done well with Hogwarts Legacy, which is said to receive a sequel and the last Mortal Kombat game. WB Games is also said to still be moving forward with another Batman game after cancelling the long-gestating Wonder Woman project. Netflix has also been trying to find a place in the gaming sector, and while its titles are more mobile-centric, gaining access to WB’s gaming portfolio could be a major resource for future projects. Regardless, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos had the following to say about the merger.
“Our mission has always been to entertain the world, By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix
Discussion (19 replies)
Join Discussion →Hopefully this means that WB will stop killing their successful gaming IPs with BS MTX/Live service nonsense.
WB is such a weird publisher. They do a fantastic job maintaining the integrity of their IPs when making games, but then can't seem to let go of wanting to make live service slop either.
Guess we can see more games coming to Netflix as well.
Wait what? Netflix has games?
Oh yea... alll PHONE games. Some not bad... some just ok. Nothing earth shattering... but a handy thing to be able to play with at times.
They don't really advertise it.
If they entered the gaming space for real. (PC/Console/Handheld gaming devices) it could be interesting... Taking over WB/HBO, bringing all of the potter verse, and DC content to netflix, killing off HBO Max, and making HBO content an part of netflix or an addon sub sub to Netflix itself would be... interesting.
It's like I pay extra to stream in 4k on my TV's for netflix content. Another 2 bucks a month to get access to HBO/cinema/whatever (all inclusive) I would even do if the value add was there.
Here you go, we've got a few articles on Netflix's games.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.thefpsreview.com/#search/q=netflix%20games[/URL]
I canceled all streaming a couple months ago. Including game pass. I put $80+ back in my wallet every month. ☠️
I retired early in life so have no need for mobile gaming. I have such a big back log of PC games, I won't get through it for years. Amazon and Epic keep giving me more free titles, even AAA games, adding to the list.
I share this hope. Even with the rough start to Arkham Knight, those games are top notch. Mad Max is a jewel in the rough. I need more Mad Max games. The LEGO games are fun for all ages. If it all goes to cloud? Dead to me.
As much as I love Legos I have never played any of the Lego games.
Are they really worth playing?
- They're a load of fun if you're casually co-op gaming with your SO (if they're not really into games) or with young kids. They're simple, fun, have plenty of clean humor, etc.
They are absolutely not some kind of transformative gaming experience though.
A lot of their popularity comes from nostalgia. They could easily provide 100's of hours of fun over a summer break back in the day.
I am biased because I played co-op with my son as he grew up. I can honestly say that they surprised me with the need for puzzle solving. Some requiring going back later when you unlock a character that has the skills/powers necessary. The humor in the games had me LOLing far more than I would have ever wagered. Biggest negative out of the ones I've played is they don't change the mechanics much from title to title. The story and humor have to carry it, because the gameplay and grind are so similar.
I only played the horizon one, was a fun little game, not brty challenging, but I guess that's the point, and I don't mind playing something a bit easier once in a while.
I have some on the epic game store I got for free but never gotten around to try those think those are the batman ones.
How are the controls? Something that can be done with a controller or being a PCMR am I going to be wanting to use a KB/M?
I played it on the PS5 with a controller just fine.
I always feel like when two giant conglomerates merge, it ends up being somehow worse for everyone else. Inevitably they start spinning stuff back off in ~5 years, but only after after destroying your dreams and crushing your hopes...
Warner has to be getting tired of being passed around like a bad 8 ball at a hooker party.
oh yes they are, I've played all but the latest Lego SW games and they are great. Same with the HP and Batman series
Can you actually build anything in these games or are they all "story mode" games only?
Minecraft they are not. :) Though they really should be LEGO craft... I'm sure there are specific events needing leggo building but over all... no.