Netflix Pulls Popular Indie Games From Its Platform
▼ Summary
– Netflix is delisting 22 games, including Hades, Braid, and Katana Zero, from its mobile service, with most departing by July 14 and Hades leaving on July 1.
– Some games, like Hades and Katana Zero, were exclusively available on mobile via Netflix, meaning their removal could leave no mobile alternatives.
– Developers like Devolver Digital are exploring options to bring delisted games, such as Katana Zero and Death’s Door, to mobile stores as premium titles.
– Netflix’s shift in gaming strategy focuses on titles tied to its shows, multiplayer party games, and mainstream hits, moving away from third-party acquisitions.
– Data shows Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Squid Game: Unleashed are Netflix’s most popular games, with no plans for their removal.
Netflix is removing over 20 popular indie games from its platform next month, including fan favorites like Hades and Katana Zero, leaving mobile gamers scrambling to finish their playthroughs. The streaming giant confirmed the delisting through its app, with most titles vanishing by July 14, though Hades will disappear even sooner on July 1. For many of these games, their mobile versions were exclusive to Netflix, meaning players may lose access entirely unless developers find new distribution channels.
The full list of departing games includes acclaimed titles such as Braid: Anniversary Edition, Death’s Door, Monument Valley, and Raji: An Ancient Epic. While some developers are already working on alternative releases, others were caught off guard by the sudden removal. Devolver Digital, publisher of Katana Zero and Death’s Door, confirmed plans to bring these games to mobile stores as premium purchases, though exact timelines remain unclear.
The decision reflects Netflix’s evolving gaming strategy, shifting away from third-party acquisitions toward titles tied to its own IP, multiplayer experiences, and family-friendly content. Data from Appfigures shows that licensed games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Squid Game: Unleashed dominate Netflix’s gaming downloads, reinforcing the company’s focus on mainstream hits.
For indie developers, the abrupt delisting raises concerns about platform dependency. Andrejs Klavins, lead designer of The Case of the Golden Idol, described the news as unexpected, leaving his team scrambling to determine next steps. Meanwhile, Netflix’s recent closure of an in-house AAA studio suggests further consolidation around fewer, more commercially viable projects.
Players invested in these indie gems have limited time left to enjoy them on Netflix. While some titles may resurface elsewhere, others could vanish permanently, making the next few weeks a race against the clock for fans.
(Source: The Verge)
