Don't Starve Together, initially announced for Netflix Games in June 2024, will not be coming to the streaming service. 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 survival experience to a global audience via Google Play and the App Store. While a specific release date remains unannounced, an update is promised soon.
The darkly whimsical Don't Starve series challenges players to survive on a hostile island teeming with bizarre creatures. As one of several unique characters, your goal is simple: gather resources and, most importantly, don't starve.
Initially planned as a Netflix Games exclusive, Don't Starve Together will now have a worldwide launch on mobile platforms.
Netflix's Shifting Focus?
The cancellation of Don't Starve Together's Netflix exclusivity raises questions about the platform's future commitment to indie games. This, along with other cancelled indie exclusives like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, suggests a potential shift in strategy.
Don't Starve is a significant franchise, a highly recognizable survival game. If it couldn't maintain its Netflix exclusivity, it casts doubt on the future prospects of other indie titles on the platform. Netflix's indie game selection has been a major draw for many, making this development concerning.
For a more detailed perspective on Netflix Games' direction and its potential impact on indie developers, see my analysis of the launch of Squid Game: Unleashed. This piece explores the potential negative consequences of Netflix's increased focus on its own IP.
