Netflix ditches five other upcoming releases alongside Don\'t Starve Together

Netflix Games has recently announced the cancellation of five upcoming releases, joining the previously mentioned *Don't Starve Together* in being dropped from their lineup. Titles such as *Tales of the Shire*, *Compass Point: West*, *Lab Rat*, *Rotwood*, and *Thirsty Suitors* will no longer be available on the service. These games are either indefinitely shelved or will be launched on different platforms.

This news comes from *What's on Netflix*, a reliable source for streaming updates, which reported that a Netflix insider confirmed these cancellations as part of a significant restructuring of their gaming offerings. This move aligns with Netflix's recent focus on narrative-driven games, as highlighted in their latest investment call, where they emphasized projects similar to their successful *Netflix Stories* anthology.

The abrupt nature of these cancellations was somewhat unexpected, although I had previously speculated that Netflix's shift towards games that promote their streaming content could impact their broader gaming catalog. The decision to cancel *Tales of the Shire*, a game tied to the popular *Lord of the Rings* franchise, particularly stands out. This move suggests that even high-profile titles are not immune to being cut if they don't align with Netflix's new strategic direction.

Given these developments, now might be a good time to explore the current offerings on Netflix Games. Our ranking of the top 10 best releases on the platform highlights some truly remarkable games that you can still enjoy, at least for the time being.

Hate to say I told you so...