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

Netflix has been making some significant strategic shifts lately, especially in its gaming division. The streaming giant recently unveiled its upcoming lineup of shows and games for the year, which sparked excitement among fans but also raised eyebrows due to some notable absences. For instance, the much-anticipated game Don’t Starve Together has been dropped from Netflix Games' mobile lineup, and it's not the only title to face this fate.

There Are Six Names Missing!

Netflix has decided to remove six previously announced games from its mobile gaming catalog. If you were eagerly awaiting to play Don’t Starve Together, Tales of the Shire, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, or Thirsty Suitors through Netflix Games, you'll need to look elsewhere. This decision reflects Netflix's ongoing effort to refine its gaming portfolio, and unfortunately, these titles didn't meet the cut. It's not the first time the company has pulled games post-announcement; Crashlands 2 was similarly removed even after beta testing had begun in some regions.

This move is indicative of a broader shift in Netflix's gaming strategy. The company is pivoting towards narrative-driven games and titles inspired by its popular shows and movies, moving away from indie games. A prime example of this new direction is Netflix Stories, which will be introducing popular shows like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.

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

While these games won't be available through Netflix Games, most are still set to launch elsewhere. Don’t Starve Together, originally slated for a mobile release through Netflix in June 2024 as part of a trio of games from Klei Entertainment, will now be ported to mobile by Playdigious. Similarly, Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two titles from Klei Entertainment, have been axed from Netflix's plans, but Rotwood remains available in early access on Steam.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim, was initially set to launch in fall 2024 but has been delayed to early 2025. Notably, the Netflix Games logo has vanished from its website, signaling its removal from the 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 all the more surprising. Lastly, Thirsty Suitors, a stylish, story-driven RPG developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive, was intended for mobile via Netflix but will now be released on Steam and consoles.

This wraps up our insight into Netflix Games' decision to drop these titles. Meanwhile, you can explore other offerings from Netflix on the Google Play Store. For more on Netflix's latest ventures, check out the news about Netflix Stories adding Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year.