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Netflix is eliminating its interactive shows in December

Choose-your-own-delisting.

Justin Carter, Contributing Editor

November 4, 2024

2 Min Read
Promotional artwork for interactive Netflix show Triviaverse
Image via Netflix

At a Glance

  • Netflix made Black Mirror and other shows into interactive events, but later called the tech 'too limited' for its goals.

Netflix is ending support for its slate of interactive movies, shows, and experiences.

Game Developer has learned the streamer will no longer be supporting interactive experiences such as Battle Kitty, Trivia Quest, We Lost our Human, and many more.

All interactive shows and films–with the exception of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Kimmy Schmidt, Ranveer vs Wild, and You vs Wild–will be removed as of December 1, 2024. Netflix feels the technology initially served its purpose but is now limiting the company as it attempts to focus on other areas. 

The news initially spread on social media. Matt Layzell, creator of the streamer's animated series Battle Kitty, claimed on Instagram that his show and others like it would be removed as Netflix "wipes the slate clean of their interactive programs."

The loss of these playable shows speaks to the larger delisting saga that has occurred in recent years, and the lack of official, proper preservation for games and other interactive media.

Back in January, a Game File report alleged Netflix had already wiped its hands of the whole interactive endeavor entirely. Mike Verdu, then-head of Netflix Games and now the VP of its GenAI division, said at the time the streamer "[was] not building those specific experiences anymore." While he said Netflix "learned a ton" from the format, he also acknowledged it was stifled by "very limiting" technology.

Since then, Netfix has put a greater focus on grabbing games for its titular service, like Oxenfree II, Hades, and the remastered Grand Theft Auto trilogy.

It also recently shut down its big triple-A studio that was developing an original project for PC and consoles. That team's staff included longtime industry alums like Halo's Joe Staten and Overwatch's Chacko Sonny, and Netflix is now reaffirming its position as a mobile-first developer.

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About the Author

Justin Carter

Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com

A Kansas City, MO native, Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Don't ask him about how much gum he's had, because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit.

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