Netflix Cancels Six Projects Including Don't Starve Together

Netflix Games is undergoing a significant shakeup, with five anticipated titles being removed from their upcoming lineup. This follows the recent news that Don't Starve Together would no longer be available on the service. According to What's on Netflix, the games affected include Tales of the Shire, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, and Thirsty Suitors. These titles are either being indefinitely shelved or will launch on different platforms.

This decision aligns with Netflix's strategic pivot towards narrative-focused games, as hinted during a recent investment call. The streamer is keen on developing titles like those in the successful Netflix Stories anthology, which are closely tied to their streaming content.

The news came as an unpleasant surprise to many, including myself. While I had previously suggested that Netflix's focus on promoting their streaming content might impact their gaming catalog, the abruptness of these cancellations was unexpected. The decision to drop Tales of the Shire, backed by the iconic Lord of the Rings franchise, underscores that no game outside of Netflix's own tie-in content is safe from being cut.

Given these changes, now might be the perfect time to explore our ranking of the top 10 best releases currently available on Netflix Games. These titles offer a range of engaging experiences, and while the platform's focus shifts, they remain worthy of your attention.

Hate to say I told you so...