Netflix delisting 23 game titles: Difference between revisions
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{{MergeRequest|Same topic as [[Netflix Games deactivated]]}} | |||
'''[[Netflix]]''' is a subscription based video-on-demand streaming website that primarily distributes original and acquired films and TV shows in multiple languages to end consumers. It also offers a library of video games for mobile devices like Android based smartphones, Apple's iPhones, and iPads. | |||
Netflix | |||
Netflix | ==Incident== | ||
Netflix has been slowly delisting video games from its library<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2024-12-24 |title=‘Vikings: Valhalla’, ‘Mighty Quest’, ‘Slayaway Camp 2’ & ‘Desta: The Memories Between’ Joins List of Netflix Game Departures |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/vikings-valhalla-mighty-quest-slayaway-camp-2-desta-joins-list-netflix-game-departures/ |url-status=live |website=whats-on-netflix |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260115015415/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/vikings-valhalla-mighty-quest-slayaway-camp-2-desta-joins-list-netflix-game-departures/ |archive-date=15 Jan 2026}}</ref> with the largest delisting of 23 titles<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2025-06-23 |title=Netflix To Remove Over 20 Mobile Games Including Monument Valley Trilogy and Hades |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-games/netflix-to-remove-over-20-mobile-games-including-monument-valley-trilogy-and-hades/ |url-status=live |website=whats-on-netflix |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221030745/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-games/netflix-to-remove-over-20-mobile-games-including-monument-valley-trilogy-and-hades/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> announced on June 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2025<ref name=":0" />. The news came as a surprise to many users with many left wondering whether their saves would carry over to other devices or if the games would be available on any other online video game store at all<ref>{{Cite web |title=22 Games Leaving Netflix Games in July 2025 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1liud3f/22_games_leaving_netflix_games_in_july_2025/ |url-status=live |website=Reddit}}</ref> . This also left all the games previously downloaded, unplayable due to the games requiring to communicate with Netflix servers on start up<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |title=Netflix is letting go of some of its best indie games |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/692227/netflix-games-delisting-hades-braid-gaming-strategy |url-status=live |website=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218114342/https://www.theverge.com/news/692227/netflix-games-delisting-hades-braid-gaming-strategy |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. | |||
Netflix's own website confirms video game saves would not carry over to other devices on video games bought on other online video game stores<ref>{{Cite web |title=How do game saves work on Netflix? |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/123943 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601052303/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/123943 |archive-date=2025-06-01 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Netflix}}</ref>. The wording "Unlimited Access"<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Netflix Mobile Games |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/121442/us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617163902/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/121442/us |archive-date=2025-06-17 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Netflix}}</ref> for Netflix Games on their website can be considered deceptive advertising<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deceptive Advertising: Definition, Types, and Examples |url=https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/false-or-misleading-marketing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614085555/https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/false-or-misleading-marketing/ |archive-date=2025-06-14 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=TorHoremanLaw}}</ref>. | |||
The already downloaded video games will not work post July 15<sup>th</sup> , the date for 21 out of the 23 games that were scheduled for delisting. <ref name=":1" /> | |||
==Follow up== | |||
Developer reactions suggest the delist announcement from Netflix was a sudden move, rather than a preplanned initiative, according to discussions on their Discord servers <ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |title=“Out Of Our Control”: Developers and Gamers React To More Games Being Pulled from Netflix |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-games/out-of-our-control-developers-and-gamers-react-to-more-games-being-pulled-from-netflix/ |url-status=live |website=What's-on-Netflix |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251003092930/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-games/out-of-our-control-developers-and-gamers-react-to-more-games-being-pulled-from-netflix/ |archive-date=3 Oct 2025}}</ref> The founder of Color Gray Games said, in relation to their two games (The Rise of the Golden Idol and The case of the Golden Idol) that were in the list of games leaving the app on July 15<sup>th</sup>, 2025 - “''This is all recent news for us, and all the practical implications are yet to be worked out. Once we have more information, we will update you''.” | |||
Players would need to buy the video game again upon re-release on new digital stores like Steam, Apple's App Store, Google Play Store. <ref name=":3" /> | |||
No official statements were given by Netflix on the situation besides announcing the departure. Netflix's new president of games who was previously the VP of game development for Fortnite at Epic Games said in an interview in March of 2025, "''readjust and focus on fewer areas with more intention''"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=2025-03-21 |title=Netflix has a new plan for games |url=https://www.theverge.com/games/633481/netflix-gaming-strategy-alain-tascan-interview |url-status=live |website=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260106220957/https://www.theverge.com/games/633481/netflix-gaming-strategy-alain-tascan-interview |archive-date=6 Jan 2026}}</ref> highlighting the delisting might be a part of Netflix's new strategy for its video game library. | |||
Netflix has | |||
Netflix's mobile game page advertises "Unlimited access to more than 80 exclusive mobile games"<ref name=":2" /> without clear wording for what "Unlimited" means. Point 4.4 from Netflix's Terms of Use states "''The Netflix service, including the Netflix content, is regularly updated. We therefore do not guarantee that particular content will be available on the Netflix service at any given time"''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-12 |title=Netflix Terms of Use |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/legal/termsofuse |url-status=live |website=Netflix}}</ref> contradicting the advertisement. The full point reads as follows<blockquote>4.4. The Netflix service, including the Netflix content, is regularly updated. We therefore do not guarantee that particular content will be available on the Netflix service at any given time. We may give you the opportunity to watch live or special events (including replays of such content) or to enjoy new additional features. Such content and new features may contain commercial breaks and other types of commercial messages and advertising formats (“Advertisements”). Our service may also contain limited commercial content, such as branded content or sponsorship messaging, promos for Netflix content or information about other Netflix goods or services. Netflix does not endorse or sponsor any advertised products or services and any interactions with advertisers, including through engagement with interactive advertisements, are at your own option and risk. In addition, we continually test various aspects of our service, including our websites, user interfaces and promotional features. You can turn off test participation at any time by visiting the "Account" page and changing the "Test participation" settings.</blockquote>There is no point in Terms of Use of specific games studios that address the specific advertising of ''"Unlimited Access''<ref name=":2" />''"'' on Netflix. If we take the example of <u>OXENFREE II: Lost Signals</u> ,a game developed by Night School LLC acquired by Netflix in September of 2021, which is available on Netflix for download; | ==Netflix's Terms of Use== | ||
Netflix has no specific Terms of Use for its video game's library. Instead, the general Terms of Use apply to all of Netflix's services. Each specific game has its own Terms of Use as directed by the company that developed the game. | |||
Netflix's mobile game page advertises "Unlimited access to more than 80 exclusive mobile games"<ref name=":2" /> without clear wording for what "Unlimited" means. Point 4.4 from Netflix's Terms of Use states "''The Netflix service, including the Netflix content, is regularly updated. We therefore do not guarantee that particular content will be available on the Netflix service at any given time"''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-12 |title=Netflix Terms of Use |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/legal/termsofuse |url-status=live |website=Netflix |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111222518/https://help.netflix.com/en/legal/termsofuse |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref> contradicting the advertisement. The full point reads as follows:<blockquote>4.4. The Netflix service, including the Netflix content, is regularly updated. We therefore do not guarantee that particular content will be available on the Netflix service at any given time. We may give you the opportunity to watch live or special events (including replays of such content) or to enjoy new additional features. Such content and new features may contain commercial breaks and other types of commercial messages and advertising formats (“Advertisements”). Our service may also contain limited commercial content, such as branded content or sponsorship messaging, promos for Netflix content or information about other Netflix goods or services. Netflix does not endorse or sponsor any advertised products or services and any interactions with advertisers, including through engagement with interactive advertisements, are at your own option and risk. In addition, we continually test various aspects of our service, including our websites, user interfaces and promotional features. You can turn off test participation at any time by visiting the "Account" page and changing the "Test participation" settings.</blockquote>There is no point in Terms of Use of specific games studios that address the specific advertising of ''"Unlimited Access''<ref name=":2" />''"'' on Netflix. If we take the example of <u>OXENFREE II: Lost Signals</u>, a game developed by Night School LLC acquired by Netflix in September of 2021, which is available on Netflix for download; its Terms of Use state the following points<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-12 |title=Netflix Games Off-Service Terms of Use & Privacy Statement |url=https://nightschoolstudio.com/privacy-tos-en/ |url-status=live |website=Night School Studio |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206224418/https://nightschoolstudio.com/privacy-tos-en/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref><blockquote>6. Ownership of the Games | |||
We and our affiliates and licensors own all rights in the Games, including, without limitation, all content within the Games.</blockquote><blockquote>11. Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability | We and our affiliates and licensors own all rights in the Games, including, without limitation, all content within the Games.</blockquote><blockquote>11. Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability | ||
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IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR THE UK, THEN THE GAMES, GAME CONTENT, OR ANY FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE NETFLIX PARTIES DO NOT GUARANTEE, REPRESENT, OR WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE GAMES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE NETFLIX PARTIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF THE GAMES AND ANY GAME CONTENT, INCLUDING VIRTUAL GOODS.</blockquote>These suggest the mobile game developer and Netflix hold full rights to revoke the license and delist the game from the library rendering your downloaded game unplayable, yet it's advertised as "Unlimited Access<ref name=":2" />" | IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR THE UK, THEN THE GAMES, GAME CONTENT, OR ANY FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE NETFLIX PARTIES DO NOT GUARANTEE, REPRESENT, OR WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE GAMES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE NETFLIX PARTIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF THE GAMES AND ANY GAME CONTENT, INCLUDING VIRTUAL GOODS.</blockquote>These suggest the mobile game developer and Netflix hold full rights to revoke the license and delist the game from the library rendering your downloaded game unplayable, yet it's advertised as "Unlimited Access<ref name=":2" />" | ||
== Reference == | ==Consumer response== | ||
losing access to games you previously could play caused many frustrations for people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=Why does it feel like Netflix Games is going downhill? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1m6jwc4/why_does_it_feel_like_netflix_games_is_going/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reddit |publication-date=2025-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=Will more games be removed in August? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1m5rb09/will_more_games_be_removed_in_august/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reddit}}</ref> | |||
as most had questions about whether they'll be able to play the games somewhere else.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=Discontinued games |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1m1fuu6/discontinued_games/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reddit}}</ref> | |||
or if they could move their saves to another device to not lose their progress as most games don't have cloud saving.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=Can I transfer btd6 Netflix save data to normal btd6 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/btd6/comments/17jzpp7/can_i_transfer_btd6_netflix_save_data_to_normal/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250311042344/https://old.reddit.com/r/btd6/comments/17jzpp7/can_i_transfer_btd6_netflix_save_data_to_normal/ |archive-date=11 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=Have I lost my save? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1lv22yo/have_i_lost_my_save/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709224239/https://old.reddit.com/r/NetflixGamers/comments/1lv22yo/have_i_lost_my_save/ |archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref> | |||
==Reference== | |||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Netflix]] | [[Category:Netflix]] | ||