No More “Netflix Stories”: Streaming Giant Refocuses Its Gaming Strategy

Netflix is shutting down its Netflix Stories interactive fiction games, marking a major shift in its gaming strategy.

The Netflix Stories franchise, which featured romance and drama-based interactive games tied to popular shows, will no longer receive new titles. Instead, Netflix is turning its attention to mobile gaming, transmedia storytelling, and party games that can be played on TV using smartphones as controllers.

Netflix’s New Gaming Focus

At the recently concluded Game Developers Conference (GDC), Netflix’s head of gaming, Alain Tascan, outlined the company’s new vision for its gaming division. According to reports from The Game Business, Tascan emphasized that Netflix is moving away from the traditional console model and focusing on four key areas:

Narrative and transmedia projects that integrate with Netflix’s existing content.
Big mainstream IPs that appeal to a broad audience.
A trusted destination for families with kid-friendly content.
Party games played on TVs using mobile phones as controllers.

Tascan, who previously worked at Epic Games, sees Netflix’s gaming strategy as an opportunity to remove friction in gaming. “Having enough controllers for a family, having a piece of hardware that might be expensive, waiting for a game to download—these are all obstacles. We want to reduce them as much as possible,” he explained. He compared Netflix’s strategy to what the Nintendo Wii did for gaming, aiming to “lowering friction” and make games more accessible and easier to play for everyone. "I see that the subscription is friction... But the other friction is having enough controllers for family. Having a piece of hardware that might be expensive... Waiting for a game to download... I am [looking at] all the obstacles, and asking if we can reduce them as much as possible"

Moving Away from Consoles

Netflix is also taking a step back from the traditional console gaming model. Tascan questioned whether younger audiences are still excited about dedicated gaming consoles, stating, “Are eight-year-olds and ten-year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I’m not sure. They want to interact with any digital screen, wherever it is, even in the car.”

This approach aligns with recent moves by Netflix, including the closure of its high-profile triple-A gaming studio and layoffs at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio. Tascan also expressed skepticism about the need for complex RPG-style games on Netflix’s platform, suggesting the company is more interested in quick, engaging experiences that encourage repeat play.

The Future: Party Games and Deeper Integration

One of Netflix’s biggest gaming bets is on party games, using mobile phones as controllers. “Every phone has a gyroscope, a microphone, a speaker, and a touchscreen,” Tascan said. “If you give that to creative people, what do they do? Whether you're alone, with two people, or 20 people, why not create something truly engaging?”

Netflix is also exploring deeper integration between its shows and games. One example is Squid Game, where watching the show could unlock in-game currency. Tascan hinted that future games could incorporate AI-driven features that connect player actions in a game with changes in a show—or vice versa.

The End of Netflix Stories

Since launching in 2021, Netflix Stories offered interactive experiences based on hit Netflix shows. The dedicated Netflix Stories app, available on the Play Store and App Store, housed over 14 games, including:

Love Is Blind – A dating simulation inspired by the show’s “pods” format.
Virgin River – A romance story featuring the small-town drama of Virgin River.
Perfect Match – A dating competition hosted by Nick Lachey.
Emily in Paris – A fashion-themed adventure in Paris.
Selling Sunset – A real estate-focused game set in Los Angeles.
Outer Banks – A treasure-hunting adventure with the Outer Banks crew.
Sweet Magnolias – A small-town life and romance story, released in February 2025.
A Virgin River Christmas – A holiday-themed story featuring beloved Virgin River characters.

Despite its popularity, Netflix Stories is coming to an end as the company shifts focus. While existing titles will remain playable, no new Netflix Stories games will be developed (Variety Report).

Netflix’s Long-Term Gaming Vision

Despite these changes, Netflix is not backing down from gaming. Tascan emphasized that Netflix is in this space for the long haul. “If Netflix wants to entertain the world, there’s no way around it—we need to be in games,” he stated. The company’s focus on accessibility, party games, and deeper integration with its TV shows suggests an evolving strategy that aims to redefine how audiences experience gaming within the Netflix ecosystem.