You may still have control over your own destiny, but you’ll no longer have control over your Netflix content. Sadly, the platform will be delisting nearly all of its interactive titles starting next month.
Say Goodbye to “Interactive Specials”
While there are currently 24 titles listed under Netflix’s category known as “Interactive Specials,” after December 1st, there will only be four. Interactive media, which features branching narratives that put the viewer in the metaphorical driver’s seat, rocketed to popularity years ago with Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, an interactive episode of the popular sci-fi anthology series.
If you were a fan of Bandersnatch, you’ll be happy to learn that it’s one of the few specials being saved from elimination.
Some of the outgoing titles include Unwind your Mind, an interactive meditation from Headspace, and Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not To Steal, a participatory detective investigation for kids. The catalog will also lose its interactive trivia content like Triviaverse and Cat Burglar.
Four interactive titles will stick around after December 1st:
- Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
- Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls
- You vs. Wild
Shifting Gears
The consolidation suggests that interactive content might not be popular enough to justify the steep production costs likely involved in producing and technically supporting this type of storytelling on the platform. However, if Netflix is going to keep some of its interactive titles, that means it does have to maintain whatever software infrastructure is required for branching narrative content. If that’s the case, why not keep it all?
It’s possible that the transition away from interactive media will shift the focus to Netflix’s Mobile Games. Over the past few years, Netflix has released games connected to its shows and movies, including flagship properties from Stranger Things to Love Is Blind. Recently, Netflix teased a Wordle-like puzzle game called TED Tumblewords, which will soon be released in partnership with the nonprofit organization behind TED Talks.
My best guess is that this shift has to do with licensing costs and a new directive to guide traffic to Netflix’s games. And the platform’s game offerings do ease the blow: trivia fans might find solace in logic puzzles, and kids can play games inspired by SpongeBob and CoComelon. That being said, access to Netflix’s games is currently limited to mobile devices, as there’s not currently support on desktops, Smart TVs or streaming sticks.
