Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon to Depart Netflix Games
Unfortunately, following the recent positive news about Squid Game: Unleashed becoming free-to-play, Netflix Games users face a setback. Yacht Club Games has announced the removal of Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon from the Netflix Games platform.
This news was confirmed via the developers' Twitter account. They reassured players that the game will remain accessible on other platforms, including Switch, Steam, and PlayStation 4. However, this is little consolation for those who initially accessed the game through Netflix.
There's a glimmer of hope, though. Yacht Club Games stated they are exploring additional distribution options. A standalone mobile release seems likely, although a swift release shouldn't be expected.
A Digression on Digital Ownership
The departure of Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon highlights a key risk inherent in subscription gaming services: reduced ownership. Players have even less control over their games compared to traditional digital purchases. When a game is removed, players are entirely reliant on the developer to ensure future availability.
Assuming no contractual obligations prevent it, Yacht Club Games likely has several avenues to explore. We anticipate potential re-release options may emerge sometime in 2025.
For now, numerous other gaming options are available. Check out our latest list of top five new mobile games for some alternatives!