Netflix has been making significant adjustments to its gaming strategy, and their latest announcement regarding upcoming shows and games for this year has sparked both excitement and disappointment among fans. While the list boasts some eagerly anticipated titles, several notable games have been dropped from Netflix Games' mobile lineup.
Six Games Removed from Netflix's Lineup
Unfortunately, if you were eagerly awaiting to play 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 were part of Netflix's previously announced mobile gaming offerings but have now been cut from the service.
Netflix's decision to remove these games is part of a broader effort to refine its gaming portfolio. This isn't the first time they've made such a move; Crashlands 2 was also removed from their lineup despite having started beta testing in certain regions.
Shift in Strategy
Netflix seems to be steering its gaming strategy towards more narrative-driven games and titles that are based on their popular shows and movies, rather than indie games. A prime example of this shift is Netflix Stories, which will be expanding to include popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.
What Happens to the Dropped Games?
While these games are no longer coming to Netflix, most are still finding their way to other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, originally announced in June 2024 as part of a trio from Klei Entertainment, will now be ported to mobile by Playdigious. Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei titles, have also been dropped by Netflix. However, Rotwood remains available on Steam in early access.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim, was initially slated for a fall 2024 release but has been delayed to early 2025. The absence of the Netflix Games logo from its website 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, was set to come to mobile via Netflix but has now been excluded.
Where to Go from Here?
While these cancellations might be disappointing, Netflix continues to offer a variety of other games on the Google Play Store. As for the games that were dropped, fans can still look forward to their release on other platforms.
In other Netflix news, don't miss out on the upcoming addition of Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias to Netflix Stories later this year.
