Netflix has made a surprising decision to cancel its Netflix Stories franchise, a series known for its narrative-driven games. Popular titles like Love is Blind, Perfect Match, and Virgin River will still be accessible to players, but no new additions to the series are planned.
This news might seem more business-focused, which is why our sister site initially covered it. However, it raises interesting and potentially concerning questions about the future direction of Netflix Games from a player's perspective.
It appeared that Netflix was shifting its focus from indie games to narrative-driven titles that could complement its TV and film content. The cancellation of Netflix Stories, however, suggests a change in strategy, hinting that this approach may be abandoned. This leaves room for speculation about other potential shifts in their gaming strategy.
While I'm not ready to jump to conclusions about drastic changes like turning Netflix Games into a separate subscription service, as Craig pointed out on .biz, Netflix Stories was significantly less popular compared to hits like GTA: San Andreas and Squid Game Unleashed.
This leads me to believe that Netflix might pivot back towards porting more mainstream games and introducing new, high-profile releases that aren't strictly narrative-focused. Additionally, a recent article by Paige on .biz suggests that Netflix might be considering party games to diversify its catalog. Fans of games like Jackbox might find this exciting. Will and I discussed this possibility on the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, so stay tuned for more insights.
Despite these changes, there's still a wealth of games to explore. Check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some fresh gaming experiences!
