Don't Starve Together, initially announced for Netflix Games in June 2024, will not be coming to the streaming service after all. However, the good news is that the mobile version for iOS and Android is still on track. Playdigious and Klei Entertainment are collaborating to bring this popular survival game to mobile devices worldwide via Google Play and the iOS App Store. While a firm release date is yet to be announced, an update is promised soon.
The darkly humorous Don't Starve series casts players as quirky characters stranded on a hostile island teeming with wildlife. The core objective? Gather resources, survive, and, most importantly, don't starve.
Originally intended as a Netflix Games exclusive, Don't Starve Together will now enjoy a global launch on mobile platforms. The absence of a concrete release date leaves some questions unanswered, but both Klei Entertainment and Playdigious assure players that a date is forthcoming.
The Netflix Fallout
The cancellation of the Netflix Games deal raises concerns about the future of indie titles on the platform. The loss of Don't Starve Together, a highly successful and iconic survival game, suggests a potential shift in Netflix's strategy. This, coupled with the removal of other indie exclusives like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, casts doubt on Netflix Games' continued commitment to the indie development community.
Don't Starve's significant standing in the indie survival genre makes its absence particularly notable. If such a prominent title can be dropped, what does this mean for smaller indie games? Netflix's indie game catalogue has been a major draw for many subscribers, and this change is a significant loss.
For further insight into Netflix's evolving approach to gaming, particularly its focus on proprietary titles, you can read my analysis of the launch of Squid Game: Unleashed. This piece explores the potential negative impact of Netflix's increased emphasis on its own IP on the future of its indie game offerings.
