Netflix has been making significant adjustments to its gaming lineup, and the latest updates have left fans both excited and disappointed. The streaming giant recently unveiled its upcoming slate of shows and games for the year, but eagle-eyed followers noticed the absence of several previously announced titles. 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 confirmed the cancellation of six games that were initially slated for release on its platform. If you were eagerly anticipating playing Don’t Starve Together, Tales of the Shire, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, or Thirsty Suitors through Netflix Games, you'll need to look elsewhere. These titles didn't meet the criteria for Netflix's refined gaming portfolio, which is now focusing more on narrative-driven experiences and games tied to their popular shows and movies.
This isn't the first time Netflix has pulled the plug on anticipated games. Crashlands 2, for example, was removed from their lineup even after beta testing had begun in some regions. This reflects a broader shift in Netflix's gaming strategy, moving away from indie games towards more integrated content.
What About the Promised Games?
For those who were looking forward to these games, there's some good news: most of them are still set to launch on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, which was supposed to be the first mobile version of the co-op survival game, was announced in June 2024 as part of a trio of Klei Entertainment games coming to Netflix. However, it will now be released on mobile by Playdigious.
Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei Entertainment titles, have also been dropped by Netflix. Fortunately, Rotwood is still available in early access on Steam. Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim, was initially planned for a fall 2024 release but has been delayed to early 2025. The absence of the Netflix Games logo from its website further confirms that it won't be part of 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. Thirsty Suitors, a stylish, story-driven RPG developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive, was also set to come to mobile via Netflix but has now been excluded.
Netflix's New Direction
As Netflix refines its gaming strategy, it's clear they are focusing on narrative-driven games and titles that complement their existing content. For instance, Netflix Stories is set to add popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year, aligning with this new direction.
While these cancellations might be disappointing, fans can still explore other offerings from Netflix Games on the Google Play Store. As the platform continues to evolve, it's worth keeping an eye on what new and exciting games they'll bring to the table next.
