Games worth discovering

Squid Game | Popular series adaptation, classic titles ported, Netflix Game expand further next year

6K View2023-12-18

Following the release of the GTA trilogy, Netflix Games has forcefully re-entered the gaming scene.

Mike Verdu, Netflix's head of gaming, stated that in 2024, Netflix Games will keep rolling out a diverse array of titles. This lineup will include ports of classics like Hades as well as adaptations of hit series such as Squid Game and Rebel Moon.

This suggests that it won't be long before we can experience the thrill of Squid Game on our mobile devices.

In the interview, Mike Verdu revealed that there are currently over ten projects being developed in-house by Netflix’s team. In addition to the already announced teams in Helsinki and California, there are also those located at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Cozy Grove developer Spry Fox.

As for the Squid Game adaptation, it's still unclear which studio is involved in the game development or the specifics of the gameplay. However, Verdu noted that "players [...] compete with friends in games they'll recognize from the series." The hope for this adaptation is that it transcends mere narrative reproduction of the series, instead offering an experience that approximates the storyline—where people, driven by financial desperation and pressure, corner themselves into a survival instinct, which is the essence of Squid Game.

Compared to the massive number of Netflix subscribers, the subscriber base for Netflix Games is just 1% of the total. This may not seem promising, but Mike Verdu is optimistic about it. "We're really pleased with the traction that we've had so far," Verdu said. He also mentioned that the company "doesn't make a lot of big bets" but takes its time with the ones it chooses to pursue.

By 2024, Netflix Games aims to offer a total of 86 games in its catalog, including titles such as Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, FashionVerse, Game Dev Tycoon, Sonic Mania Plus, and adaptations of Squid Game and Rebel Moon.

Hopefully, these games will give you another reason to subscribe to Netflix.

Mentioned games