Netflix Cancels Six Indie Games, Including Don’t Starve Together

Netflix has been making significant strategic shifts lately, especially in their gaming division. They recently unveiled their lineup of upcoming shows and games for the year, which sparked excitement but also raised eyebrows due to some notable absences. Among the surprises was the removal of several anticipated games from their mobile gaming catalog, including the popular co-op survival game, Don’t Starve Together.

Six Games Dropped from Netflix's Lineup

Netflix has decided to cut six previously announced games from its mobile offerings. Fans eager to play Don’t Starve Together, Tales of the Shire, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, or Thirsty Suitors through Netflix Games will need to look elsewhere for these titles. This decision reflects Netflix's ongoing efforts to refine its gaming portfolio, prioritizing certain types of games over others. This isn't the first instance of Netflix pulling the plug on games; Crashlands 2, for example, was also removed even after some regions had begun beta testing.

A Shift in Strategy

The cancellation of these games is part of a broader strategic shift at Netflix. The company is increasingly focusing on narrative-driven games and those based on their popular shows and movies, moving away from indie titles. This direction is evident in their expansion of Netflix Stories, which will include popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.

What Happens to the Promised Games?

While these games are no longer coming to Netflix, many are still set to launch on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, initially announced in June 2024 as part of a trio from Klei Entertainment, will still make its mobile debut via Playdigious. Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei titles, have also been dropped by Netflix but Rotwood remains available in early access on Steam.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life simulation game, was slated for a fall 2024 release but has been delayed to early 2025. Its removal from Netflix's website confirms it won't be part of their lineup.

Compass Point: West, developed by Next Games (a studio owned by Netflix), was one of the earliest titles announced for the platform, making its cancellation particularly surprising.

Lastly, Thirsty Suitors, a stylish, story-driven RPG by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive, was set to come to mobile via Netflix but has now been excluded.

Where to Find More

For those interested in Netflix's current gaming offerings, you can explore more on the Google Play Store. And while you're at it, don't miss out on the latest news about Netflix Stories adding Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.