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Netflix Scraps Six Game Releases Amid Gaming Strategy Shift
Titles like Tales of the Shire and Don’t Starve Together will no longer be part of Netflix Games as the company refocuses its strategy.
Netflix is making significant changes to its gaming division, resulting in the cancellation of several previously announced titles. As part of this shift, six games—including Tales of the Shire, Don’t Starve Together, and Compass Point: West—will no longer be released on the platform. The decision reflects Netflix's ongoing efforts to refine its gaming portfolio, aligning it more closely with user engagement trends and strategic priorities.
Among the canceled titles is Compass Point: West, developed by Next Games, one of the first studios Netflix acquired to build its gaming library. Originally set to be a key part of the platform’s early lineup, the game has now been shelved. Another major loss is Don’t Starve Together, the popular co-op survival game that was set to make its mobile debut through Netflix Games. The cancellation of this title marks a shift away from the company’s initial plans to bring indie favorites to its service.
Klei Entertainment, the developer behind Don’t Starve Together, has seen all three of its Netflix-planned releases scrapped. This includes Lab Rat, an indie puzzle game that will remain available on other platforms, and Rotwood, a beat-em-up action title currently in early access on Steam. These removals indicate a broader shift in Netflix’s gaming direction, potentially moving away from niche indie games in favor of larger, more mainstream titles.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game was another highly anticipated title that was originally set to launch on Netflix alongside other platforms. Initially scheduled for a fall 2024 release, it was later delayed to early 2025. Recent updates to the game’s official website have removed the Netflix Games logo, confirming that it will now only be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Similarly, Thirsty Suitors, a well-received narrative-driven RPG published by Annapurna Interactive, will no longer be launching on Netflix Games, despite its initial announcement in June 2024.
Netflix has confirmed the decision, stating that these removals are "part of adjusting our portfolio as we learn more about what our members like." This is not the first time Netflix has canceled games after announcing them. Crashlands 2 was recently scrapped from the release schedule, and despite undergoing beta testing in select regions, Placid Plastic Duckwill also not be making its way to the platform.
These cancellations are part of a broader shift within Netflix Games. Over the past year, the company has significantly restructured its gaming division, shutting down its AAA studio, Codename Blue, and removing several mobile games from its platform. Notable removals include Vikings: Valhalla, Desta: The Memories Between, Mighty Quest Rogue Palace, Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon, and Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story.
Looking ahead, Netflix plans to prioritize narrative-driven games, party games, kid-friendly content, and adaptations of well-known intellectual properties. Co-CEO Greg Peters recently stated that the company is shifting its focus toward mainstream hits, citing Grand Theft Auto as an example of the type of content Netflix aims to bring to its platform. Squid Game: Unleashed, which launched alongside the show's new season and has already amassed millions of downloads, seems to be the model for Netflix’s gaming future—tying interactive experiences closely to its most popular streaming content.
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