Netflix will no longer make games for “Netflix Stories,” its catalog of interactive fiction games mainly based on romance and dating-focused series. The streamer confirmed that its new gaming strategy will now focus on party games, narrative games, kids games and mainstream games, as well as more games on TV. As part of the reorg, an undetermined number of staffers have been laid off from the division.
Netflix had invested quite a bit previously on Stories, which served as the home for a set of interactive fiction games based on Netflix series like “Virgin River,” Love is Blind,” “Emily in Paris,” “Outer Banks” and “Perfect Match.” Most recently, a “Sweet Magnolias” game was released in February, but a previously announced game centered on the “Ginny & Georgia” story will no longer be released.
That shift in strategy comes following the arrival of Alain Tascan, who joined Netflix last year as president of games. As part of Tascan’s new focus, the streamer has opted to discontinue plans for new games for Netflix Stories. Previously release stories can still be played, however, as the game will still continue to live on Netflix.
Tascan didn’t mention the sunsetting of Netflix Stories earlier this month, however, as he met with reporters March 19 at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. There, he discussed the streamer’s gaming strategy, noting, “We have to match the overall mission of Netflix — otherwise we’re just a distraction.”
Netflix has continued to evolve its gaming strategy; in October it shut down its Team Blue studio, which had been developing a shooter title. “I want to make that super clear, because some people read that we’re reducing – that’s not at all the case,” Tascan told reporters regarding the shutdown of Team Blue.
At GDC, Tascan showcased “Spirit Crossing,” a Studio Ghibli-esque fantastical life-sim game from Netflix’s Spry Fox studio,set as a massive multiplayer online offering. He also outlined plans to incentivize players of games based on Netflix IP, like its “Squid Game” mobile game, and how Netflix is looking at other ways to blend linear and interactive storytelling across franchises like “Bridgerton.”
The “Netflix Stories” app had been a popular destination ever since the streamer launched its mobile gaming business in 2021. For example, last year’s “Netflix Stories: A Perfect Couple” was a nine-chapter story with four different potential endings. The title blended elements of the Netflix limited series adaptation of “The Perfect Couple.” Another one, “Netflix Stories: A Virgin River Christmas,” was a four-chapter story that took players to the town of Virgin River at Christmastime and featured show characters Mel, Jack, Preacher, Hope and Doc interacting with the player through holiday activities.
