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

Netflix has been making some significant adjustments to its gaming offerings, and recently, they released an updated list of upcoming shows and games for the year. While the list included some exciting titles, it was notable for the absence of several previously announced games. For instance, Netflix Games has decided to drop Don’t Starve Together from its mobile lineup, and it's not the only game to be removed.

Six Games Missing from the Lineup

The streaming giant has chosen to cancel six games that were previously slated for release on their platform. If you were eagerly anticipating playing 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. These titles didn't meet Netflix's criteria as they refine their gaming portfolio. This isn't the first time Netflix has made such a move; Crashlands 2 was another game that was removed from their lineup, even after beta testing had begun in certain regions.

This shift is part of a larger strategic pivot by Netflix towards narrative-driven games and titles that tie in with their popular shows and movies, moving away from indie games. A prime example of this new direction is Netflix Stories, which is set to feature popular series like Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias this year.

What Happens to the Promised Games?

Despite their removal from Netflix's lineup, most of these games are still set to launch on other platforms. Don’t Starve Together, originally announced in June 2024 as part of a trio of Klei Entertainment games coming to Netflix, will now be available on mobile through Playdigious. Lab Rat and Rotwood, the other two Klei titles, have also been dropped by Netflix, though Rotwood remains in early access on Steam.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, a cozy life sim initially planned for a fall 2024 release, has been delayed to early 2025. The absence of the Netflix Games logo from its website confirms its departure from Netflix's offerings.

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 has now been excluded.

This wraps up our update on Netflix Games' decision to scrap these titles. For more on what Netflix is currently offering, you can explore their selections on the Google Play Store.

In other Netflix news, Netflix Stories is set to add Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias later this year, further emphasizing their focus on narrative-driven content.