Netflix Cancels Five Upcoming Releases Including Don't Starve Together

Netflix Games is undergoing a significant shift in its lineup, with five upcoming releases no longer making their way to the platform. Titles such as Tales of the Shire, Rotwood, and Compass Point: West have been confirmed to be either indefinitely shelved or set to launch elsewhere. This follows the recent announcement that Don't Starve Together would also not be joining the service.

According to What's on Netflix, a reliable source within the service confirmed these cancellations are part of a broader overhaul of Netflix's gaming strategy. The full list of affected games includes Don't Starve Together, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, Tales of the Shire, and Thirsty Suitors. This move aligns with Netflix's recent investment call, which highlighted a shift towards narrative-driven games, similar to their successful Netflix Stories anthology.

The abrupt nature of these cancellations came as a surprise to many, including myself. While I had previously suggested that Netflix's focus on games that promote their streaming content might impact their broader gaming catalog, the swiftness of these decisions was unexpected. The cancellation of Tales of the Shire, backed by the popular Lord of the Rings franchise, sets a precedent that even high-profile titles are not immune to these changes.

In light of these developments, it might be a good time to explore the current offerings on Netflix Games. Our ranking of the top 10 best releases on the platform highlights some truly exceptional games that are still available, at least for now.

Hate to say I told you so...