Netflix Cancels Five Upcoming Releases Including Don't Starve Together

Netflix Games is set to part ways with not just one, but six upcoming releases. The list includes fan-favorites like Tales of the Shire, Rotwood, and more, which will no longer be making their way to the service. This follows the recent announcement that Don't Starve Together would also not be coming to Netflix Games.

According to What's on Netflix, a reliable source from the service confirmed that these titles have been removed as part of a significant overhaul of their gaming lineup. The full list of games affected by this decision includes: Don't Starve Together, Compass Point: West, Lab Rat, Rotwood, Tales of the Shire, and Thirsty Suitors.

In a related development, during a recent investment call, Netflix hinted at a strategic shift towards narrative-driven games akin to their successful Netflix Stories anthology. This move suggests a focus on content that aligns more closely with their streaming service offerings.

Hate to say I told you so... The news came as a bit of a shock to me, though I had previously suggested that Netflix's pivot to games promoting their streaming content might impact their broader gaming catalog. The abruptness of this change, however, was unexpected.

While the absence of games like Don't Starve Together or Compass Point: West from Netflix Games is disappointing, the decision to drop Tales of the Shire, backed by the immensely popular Lord of the Rings brand, sends a clear message. It seems that only Netflix's own tie-in content is safe from being cut.

With these changes in mind, now might be the perfect time to explore our ranking of the top 10 best releases currently available on Netflix Games. There are still some truly remarkable titles to enjoy, at least for the time being.