Netflix has been making some significant adjustments to its gaming lineup recently. The streaming giant unveiled its upcoming slate of shows and games for the year, which included some exciting titles but also revealed the absence of several previously announced games. Notably, Netflix Games has decided to drop Don’t Starve Together from its mobile offerings, and it's not the only game to be removed.
Six Games Missing from the Lineup
Netflix has opted to remove six games from its mobile gaming portfolio. Fans eagerly awaiting the chance to play Don’t Starve Together, Tales of the Shire, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, or Thirsty Suitors through Netflix Games will be disappointed, as these titles have been cut from the service. This move is part of Netflix's ongoing effort to refine its gaming offerings, and it's not the first time they've made such decisions. For instance, Crashlands 2 was also removed from their lineup after beta testing had begun in certain regions.
A Shift in Strategy
This change reflects a broader shift in Netflix's gaming strategy, with a focus on narrative-driven games and titles inspired by their popular shows and movies, rather than indie games. A prime example of this new direction is Netflix Stories, which will feature popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.
What About the Promised Games?
While these games are no longer coming to Netflix, most of them are still set to launch on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, initially announced in June 2024 as part of a trio of Klei Entertainment games for Netflix, will now be available on mobile through Playdigious. Similarly, Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei titles, have also been dropped by Netflix, though Rotwood remains available in early access on Steam.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim, was originally slated for a fall 2024 release but has been delayed to early 2025. The absence of the Netflix Games logo from its website further confirms its removal from Netflix's lineup.
Compass Point: West, developed by Next Games (a studio owned by Netflix), was one of the first titles announced for the platform, making its cancellation particularly surprising. Lastly, Thirsty Suitors, a stylish, story-driven RPG developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive for Steam and consoles, was also set to come to mobile via Netflix but has now been excluded.
What's Next for Netflix Games?
While these games won't be available through Netflix, fans can explore other offerings on the Google Play Store. As Netflix continues to evolve its gaming strategy, it's clear they are focusing on aligning their games with their broader content strategy, emphasizing narrative-driven experiences and titles tied to their popular shows and movies.
For more on Netflix's gaming plans, keep an eye on their announcements, and don't miss out on the latest news about Netflix Stories adding Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.
