Netflix Games Cancels Six Indie Titles, Including Don't Starve Together

Netflix has been making significant strides in its gaming sector, recently unveiling its lineup for the upcoming year. While the list included some eagerly anticipated titles, it was also notable for the absence of several previously announced games. For instance, Netflix Games has decided to drop Don’t Starve Together from its mobile offerings, and it's not the only game to be removed.

There Are Six Names Missing!

The streaming giant has opted to eliminate six games from its mobile gaming portfolio. Fans who 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 Games will be disappointed, as these titles will no longer be available on the platform.

Netflix is actively refining its gaming strategy, and these titles simply didn't meet the criteria. This isn't the first instance of Netflix pulling the plug on games after initial hype. Crashlands 2, for example, was removed from the lineup even after beta testing had commenced in certain regions.

This move reflects a broader shift in Netflix's gaming approach, favoring narrative-driven games and titles linked to their popular shows and movies over indie games. An example of this new direction is Netflix Stories, which will introduce popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.

So, What About the Games that Netflix Promised Like Don’t Starve Together?

Fortunately, most of these games are still slated for release on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, initially announced for a mobile debut via Netflix in June 2024 as part of a trio of Klei Entertainment titles, will now be ported to mobile by Playdigious.

Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei Entertainment games, have also been removed from Netflix's plans. However, Rotwood remains available in early access on Steam.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim game, was originally set to launch in fall 2024 but has been delayed to early 2025. Its absence from Netflix's offerings is further confirmed by the removal of the Netflix Games logo from its website.

Compass Point: West, developed by Next Games (a company owned by Netflix), was one of the first titles announced for the platform, making its cancellation all the more surprising.

Lastly, Thirsty Suitors, a stylish, story-driven RPG developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive for Steam and consoles, was intended for a mobile release through Netflix but is now off the list.

In conclusion, while these games won't be available on Netflix, they're finding homes elsewhere. You can explore Netflix's other gaming offerings on the Google Play Store. Additionally, keep an eye out for updates on Netflix Stories, which will soon feature popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias.