Don\'t Starve Together is still coming to mobile, but not to Netflix

Don't Starve Together, initially announced for Netflix Games in June 2024, will not be coming to the streaming service after all. 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 popular survival game to a global audience via the App Store and Google Play. While a firm release date remains elusive, an update is promised soon.

The darkly whimsical Don't Starve series casts players as quirky characters stranded on a hostile island teeming with dangerous wildlife. The core gameplay revolves around resource gathering and survival—the ultimate goal, of course, is to not starve.

Initially planned as a Netflix Games exclusive, Don't Starve Together will now enjoy a wider release on iOS and Android devices worldwide. Klei Entertainment and Playdigious assure players that a release date announcement is forthcoming.

The Netflix Fallout

The apparent collapse of Don't Starve Together's Netflix exclusivity agreement raises questions about the future of indie games on the platform. This, coupled with the cancellation of other indie exclusives like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, casts a shadow on Netflix Games' commitment to the indie development community.

Don't Starve's considerable popularity and iconic status in the survival genre make its absence from Netflix particularly noteworthy. If such a prominent title can be dropped, it raises concerns for smaller indie developers. Netflix's indie game collection has been a significant draw for many subscribers, and its potential decline is a cause for concern.

For further insight into this trend and my perspective on Netflix Games' strategic direction, I recommend reading my article on the launch of Squid Game: Unleashed. This piece explores how Netflix's growing focus on its own IP might negatively impact its previously robust indie game offerings.