Netflix has made a surprising decision to cancel its Netflix Stories franchise, a series known for its narrative-driven games. Titles like Love is Blind, Perfect Match, and Virgin River will remain accessible to players, but the pipeline for future releases has been frozen.
This development is intriguing and somewhat concerning for fans of Netflix's gaming strategy. Initially, it appeared that Netflix was shifting its focus from indie games to more narrative-driven experiences that could complement its television and film offerings. However, the abrupt cancellation of Netflix Stories suggests a potential shift in direction, leaving players to wonder what's next for Netflix Games.
While I won't speculate on drastic changes like turning Netflix Games into a separate subscription service, it's clear that Netflix Stories was not performing as well as other popular releases such as GTA: San Andreas and Squid Game Unleashed. This could signal a return to focusing on ports and new, more visually appealing releases that extend beyond the narrative genre. There's also a growing interest in party games, as suggested by recent discussions, which could see titles like Jackbox joining the Netflix Games catalog. This topic was explored further by Will and me on the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, so stay tuned for more insights.
Despite these changes, there's no shortage of gaming options available. Be sure to check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week!
