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

Netflix has been making significant adjustments to its gaming lineup, and the latest announcements have left fans both excited and disappointed. The streaming giant unveiled its slate of upcoming shows and games for the year, but eagle-eyed fans noticed several anticipated titles were missing from the list.

Six Games Removed from Netflix's Mobile Lineup

In a surprising move, Netflix Games has decided to drop six previously announced titles from its mobile gaming portfolio. If you were 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, you'll need to look elsewhere. This decision reflects Netflix's ongoing efforts to refine its gaming strategy, focusing on titles that align more closely with their brand and audience preferences. It's worth noting that this isn't the first instance of Netflix pulling the plug on games post-announcement; Crashlands 2 was another title that didn't make it to launch, even after undergoing beta testing in select regions.

Netflix's New Gaming Direction

The removal of these games is part of a broader shift in Netflix's gaming strategy. The company seems to be pivoting towards narrative-driven experiences and games tied to their popular shows and movies, moving away from indie titles. A prime example of this new direction is Netflix Stories, which will introduce interactive narratives based on beloved series like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.

What Happens to the Cancelled Games?

While disappointing for Netflix subscribers, many of these cancelled games are still slated for release on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, initially set to be the first mobile version of the popular co-op survival game, was announced in June 2024 as part of a trio of titles from Klei Entertainment coming to Netflix. Despite its removal from Netflix's lineup, it will still be available on mobile, thanks to Playdigious taking over the porting duties.

Similarly, Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei Entertainment titles, have also been dropped by Netflix. However, Rotwood remains available in early access on Steam. Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim originally slated for a fall 2024 release, has been delayed to early 2025 and will no longer be part of Netflix's offerings, as evidenced by the removal of the Netflix Games logo from its website.

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 will now be released on other platforms.

Looking Ahead

As Netflix continues to refine its gaming strategy, fans can still explore a variety of other titles available on the Google Play Store. For those interested in staying updated on Netflix's gaming endeavors, keep an eye out for more announcements, including the exciting addition of Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias to Netflix Stories later this year.