- Netflix will remove 22 mobile games in July, including titles like Hades, Monument Valley, and Katana ZERO.
- The withdrawal accounts for nearly 20% of its gaming catalog and affects several award-winning and highly-rated titles.
- The change is part of a new strategy focused on games tied to its own franchises and more limited interactive experiences.
- Some developers will look to re-release their games on other platforms after their departure from Netflix.
Major changes coming to Netflix's video game catalog and they haven't gone unnoticed among their most avid gamer subscribers. As confirmed by several specialized sources and the company itself, Netflix will remove 22 mobile games from its platform in July.This decision affects some of the platform's most popular and award-winning offerings to date and marks a new direction in its interactive entertainment strategy.
The measure implies that Nearly a fifth of Netflix's video game catalog will disappear in the coming weeks. Among the affected titles are such well-known names as Hades, the complete saga of Monument Valley, ZERO Katana y LEGO Legacy: Unboxed HeroesThe withdrawal will take place in Two phases: Hades will no longer be available on July 1stWhile The rest will leave the service starting July 14 or 15., according to the title.
Complete list of games that will no longer be on Netflix
Among the games leaving Netflix are a mix of critically acclaimed hits, children's offerings, and independent narrative titles. According to sites such as The Verge and What's on Netflix, These are the main names affected:
- Hades
- Monument Valley, Monument Valley 2 and Monument Valley 3
- ZERO Katana
- LEGO Legacy: Unboxed Heroes
- Braid: Anniversary Edition
- The Case of the Golden Idol
- The Rise of the Golden Idol
- Rainbow Six: SMOL
- Carmen Sandiego
- CoComelon: Play with JJ
- Death's Door
- Diner Out: Merge Cafe
- Dumb Ways to Die
- Ghost Detective
- Ludo king
- Raji: Ancient Epic
- SpongeBob: Bubble Pop FUN
- TED Tumblewords
- Vineyard Valley
- Battleship
Some of these titles were mobile exclusives through Netflix, which means that after their removal, they can only be made available again if their publishers decide to re-release them as standalone apps on the App Store or Google Play. Some studios, such as Devolver Digital, have already announced that They are working to bring games like Katana ZERO and Death's Door back to stores. individually, now under a premium payment model.
The reasons behind the 22-game goodbye
Esta catalog reduction occurs after a A turbulent period for Netflix's gaming division, which has seen the closure of internal studios, the cancellation of several major projects, and the departure of key executives in the last year. The company explained that One of the main reasons is the low level of monetization of the games, which were included at no additional cost in the subscription but did not generate direct revenue, unlike services like Apple Arcade or Xbox Game Pass.
Additionally, Netflix has confirmed that will change the focus of its video game offering. It will now focus on four key areas: mainstream experiences, narrative games, children's offerings, and party titles that encourage social interaction. It is anticipated that Future releases will be linked to their own franchises, such as Stranger Things or Black Mirror, investing less in third-party independent games. This shift leaves the experimentation with indie offerings that characterized the platform upon its entry into the sector in the background.
User and developer reactions
The news has generated concern among both regular users and the industry itselfMany gamers are lamenting the loss of iconic titles, noting the inclusion of modern classics like Hades and Monument Valley without ads or microtransactions. Some developers have expressed their disappointment, citing the lack of prior communication by Netflix regarding the removal, which has taken them by surprise and has left the future of their mobile projects up in the air.
On Netflix's part, it is noted that the company will continue to invest in video games, but with a strategy much more closely linked to its audiovisual universe and with less room for experiments or standalone games. Future releases could focus on offering a more integrated experience for those who already enjoy their series and movies.
Netflix's move reflects the difficulties in consolidating its video game platform In such a competitive and saturated market, the withdrawal of this 20% from the catalog demonstrates that the initial commitment to offering varied and high-quality offerings has not achieved the intended usage and financial objectives.
With the imminent departure of these 22 games, subscribers and studios face a turning point in Netflix's strategy, which is clearly shifting toward integrating video games into its entertainment ecosystem and abandoning the experimentation that characterized its initial foray into the sector. Some of these titles will still be available on other platforms, provided their creators decide to relaunch them. For fans who haven't yet tried them on Netflix, there are only a few weeks left to do so before they disappear forever from the platform's catalog.
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