Tag Archives: Netflix

Games, Gaming, Mobile, News

When Netflix Hits Pause: The July 2025 Mobile Game Purge—and Why It’s Not the First Time

Netflix’s push into mobile gaming promised a laid-back way to play premium titles on the couch or commute. But as July rolls in, subscribers are waking up to a big list of departures: over 20 games are vanishing from Netflix Games, including indie darlings and blockbuster exclusives.

Later this month, Netflix will pull 21 mobile games from its library. Here are some of the most eye-catching departures:

  • Hades (iOS exclusive) – bows out July 1
  • Monument Valley, Monument Valley 2 and Monument Valley 3 – leave July 14
  • Braid: Anniversary Edition – leaves July 14
  • Death’s Door – leaves July 14
  • Carmen Sandiego, Katana Zero, Raji: An Ancient Epic, Ludo King, Rainbow Six: SMOL and more…

These titles span puzzle masterpieces, roguelike legends, and high-profile licensed IPs. Once exclusively available through Netflix’s mobile app, most won’t reappear on the App Store or Google Play—at least not immediately.

Not a One-Off: A History of Game Cuts

Netflix’s mobile games arm has weathered multiple trimming rounds in the past year:

  • December 2024 saw its first major wave of removals, with a handful of exclusive titles quietly disappearing.
  • February 2025 brought an early-month cull of six games, underscoring the volatility of licensing deals and development cancellations.
  • This spring, Bandersnatch—the Emmy-winning interactive Black Mirror special—left the platform on May 12, part of Netflix’s broader pullback from interactive storytelling.
  • In June 2025, Devolver Digital’s acclaimed Poinpy also exited Netflix, though the studio is actively working to re-release it on app stores outside the service.

These waves signal that Netflix’s gaming strategy has been in constant flux, shifting with executive changes and market realities.

On why the purges keep coming? Well, several factors explain these recurrent cutbacks:

  1. Licensing Expirations: Many Netflix Games are based on third-party IP (e.g., Carmen Sandiego, SpongeBob), meaning contracts end and renewals get pricey or complex.
  2. Studio Restructuring: Following the closure of its AAA game studio in October 2024 and the departure of gaming lead Mike Verdu, Netflix has streamlined its gaming roadmap, canceling planned projects like Tales of the Shire and Crashlands 2.
  3. Strategic Refocus: Internal sources indicate Netflix will slow down mobile-only launches and funnel resources into “big-screen” experiences—cloud gaming on TV, web, and consoles—leveraging its strongest TV and film IPs for deeper cross-platform experiences.

What This Means for Players

If you’ve been holding off on trying Hades or Monument Valley on your phone, now’s the time to dive in. After these deadlines, your only recourse may be hunting down alternative releases or waiting for studios to re-release titles independently. In fact, Devolver Digital has already pledged to bring Katana Zero, Death’s Door, and Poinpy to traditional app stores “as soon as possible”.

While these cuts feel abrupt, they’re part of a larger maturation. Netflix Games is testing what resonates—big IP tie-ins, family-friendly titles, and tentpole crossovers with hit shows. Upcoming cloud gaming bets, like Ghost Detective on TV and Spirit Crossing (an MMO), alongside live WWE 2K streams, suggest that Netflix isn’t abandoning games—it’s refining its focus to align with core streaming strengths and subscriber behavior.

So, is this the first time Netflix has yanked games? Absolutely not. July 2025 marks the latest, largest tranche in an ongoing curation cycle. It highlights the balancing act of hosting licensed content while crafting a sustainable, long-term gaming ecosystem.

Netflix To Remove Over 20 Mobile Games Including Monument Valley Trilogy and Hades
Almost 20% of Netflix’s mobile game library is scheduled to depart soon.
Source/Via

Entertainment, Gaming, Movies, News

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep got a release date

Fans of the dark fantasy series, The Witcher, have a reason to rejoice as Netflix has officially confirmed the release of a new animated movie titled “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep”. Set to hit screens on February 11, 2025, this feature-length anime is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story, “A Little Sacrifice”.

A little context about the short story collections from the author…

Originally, “Blood of Elves” was considered the first book in The Witcher series, and while Geralt of Rivia is the protagonist, it did not serve as a good introduction for new readers in the long term.

Then, Andrzej Sapkowski began publishing short stories within The Witcher communities. By 1992, he released the book “Sword of Destiny,” followed a year later by “The Last Wish,” which served as collections of stories designed to prepare readers by introducing important facts about Geralt that frequently appear in “Blood of Elves.”

Despite the order of their releases, people consider “The Last Wish” to be chronologically first rather than following the release date with “Sword of Destiny.” As a result, they are often referred to as ‘Book 0.1’ and ‘Book 0.2’, with “The Last Wish” being labeled ‘Book 0.1’ because it provides more background on Geralt.

“A Little Sacrifice” is part of the short story collection contained in the “Sword of Destiny” book.

The story follows Geralt of Rivia and his companion, Dandelion, as they venture to the port town of Bremervoord. They are hired by a local prince to help woo a mermaid named Sh’eenaz. However, things take a dramatic turn when both lovers realize they are unwilling to give up their current lifestyles, leading to a near-war between the two kingdoms.

One of the most exciting aspects of this new film is the return of Doug Cockle as the voice of Geralt. Cockle, known for his iconic portrayal of Geralt in the Witcher games, will be taking over from Henry Cavill, who voiced the character in the live-action series. Additionally, Joey Batey will reprise his role as Jaskier, while Anya Chalotra will voice Yennefer. Newcomer Christina Wren will join the cast as Essi Daven.

The film promises to be a visual spectacle, featuring stunning underwater scenes, epic battles with merfolk, and a host of new monsters. Studio Mir, known for their work on “The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf”, is once again behind the animation, ensuring high-quality visuals and action-packed sequences.

“The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” is not just about action; it delves into Geralt’s emotional journey as he navigates new relationships and confronts his past. Fans can look forward to a mix of thrilling combat and heartfelt moments, making it a must-watch for any Witcher enthusiast.