The Trend of Netflix’s Entry Into the Gaming World: Lifetime Game Downloads Hit 210M

In late 2021, Netflix announced its foray into the gaming world. The library started with just 24 titles and now includes several dozen, with options for every type of player. While Netflix most likely expected a solid response from its viewers, most subscribers just shrugged their shoulders at the gaming content.

It was not until September 2024 that the streaming service reached over 210 million downloads in its gaming section. A few titles stand out above the rest as player favorites. However, is it enough to see Netflix garner player attention in the gaming world alongside its streaming services?

Top Gaming Titles at Netflix

According to data from Appmagic sourced by mobilegamer.biz, the top game download for the platform is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The game has over 25 million installs and is the top pick among players. The GTA Trilogy has seen over 36 million installs, with Vice City having over 7.8 million and GTA 3 coming in at 3.6 million.

Coming in second for overall downloads in the Netflix gaming section is Storyteller by Annapurna. The game has over 15 million downloads. It has been surprising to see the Storyteller title become so popular, especially considering the brand in the number three spot. Next on the list is Spongebob: Get Cooking, a popular variation of the Spongebob franchise. This game has 10.7 million overall downloads.

Rounding out the list, we have:

• Bloons TD 6 with 10 million.
• Too Hot to Handle with 8.98 million.
• Football Manager 2024 Mobile with 8.92 million.
• GTA Vice City with 7.8 million
• Asphalt Xtreme with 6.2 million
• Stranger Things: 1984 with 5.95 million
• Farming Simulator 24 with 5.8 million.

It seems the site is taking a more casual approach to gaming, offering various games with unique theme and in-game elements. Players can choose titles in the Netflix game section based on categories such as action, adventure, arcade, card, party, and puzzle games. Additional categories are included, but we have yet to see if the brand offers any casino-style games such as those offered by online casinos.

New Releases Coming Soon

Netflix has a slow approach to adding gaming content, with its main focus being streaming services. Last month, the company attended the Gamescom Opening Night Live in Cologne, Germany, where a first look at new titles was provided. Netflix has plans to release Squid Game: Unleased and Monument Valley 3 to the public later this year.

Netflix Game Studio Boss Fight will introduce Squid Game: Unleashed, a title based on the Emmy award-winning series. The game is a 32-player party royale showdown that features challenges from the show. Join friends and face off against foes as you try to move through deadly obstacles to claim the win. Players who defeat the competition will unlock rewards via daily missions and themed events.

The game should be released around the time Netflix adds Squid Game Season 2 to its streaming platform. The second season will debut on December 26, and the third and final season will be released in 2025.

Bill Jackson, the Head of Creative at Boss Fight, commented on the Squid Game title by stating: “Making games based on hit series and films is one of the most exciting opportunities we have at Netflix. We’re thrilled to offer fans a new way to experience the Squid Game universe that combines the show’s pulse-pounding action with the immersive thrill of gameplay.”

Netflix plans to release Monument Valley 3 on December 10, a new encapsulation of the puzzle world. Players will sail across the universe to solve puzzles in a minimalistic setting. Netflix will also feature Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2 soon, so the brand will be the only option for players to explore the entire Monument Valley collection.

The streaming service has other new games coming out this year, including Rollercoaster Tycoon Touch. With this title, players can build an amusement park based on the features of the classic PC game. Design roller coasters and other rides and play minigames as you try to ensure the park patrons stay happy and content.

The game allows players to collect new rides based on a card progression system to earn more in-game money. Expand the park as much as possible to earn more revenue and offer additional options for guests.

These are just a few of the games Netflix has planned for 2024. It will be interesting to see how the new releases fare and what the brand has in store for players in 2025 with new and exciting game releases.