Netflix Is Removing Most Interactive Specials in December

Highlights

• Netflix will remove most of its interactive specials by December 1.
• Will only retain four titles: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild.
• The company is shifting focus to other technological efforts.
• Netflix will continue to explore gaming, offering mobile games.

If you are a fan of one of Netflix’s interactive shows, this latest update may be disappointing to you.

According to a recent report on The Verge, Netflix will be removing most of its interactive shows portfolio from the platform by December 1.

The streaming platform currently offers 24 interactive specials, but only four of these will remain available after the cut.

The titles staying include the most well-known ones: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls, and You vs. Wild.

These popular shows will continue to be accessible to viewers.

However, other interactive specials based on Carmen Sandiego, Boss Baby and Puss in Boots will be removed. Notably, Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale was Netflix’s first interactive special debuting even before Bandersnatch became a hit.

This move marks the end of an era for Netflix’s interactive content, which the company had once said it would “double down” on. Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher explained that while the feature had “served its purpose,” it was now limiting Netflix’s shift toward other technological efforts.

The Verge report quoted spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher saying, “The technology served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas.”

Mike Verdu, Netflix’s former head of gaming, previously confirmed that the company wasn’t planning to create any more interactive specials.

Verdu announced that he is now the VP of “GenAI for Games” at Netflix. He reportedly also informed Game File’s Stephen Totilo that Netflix is not working on developing interactive gaming titles anymore.

While Netflix is discontinuing its interactive specials, it is still pursuing gaming with a selection of mobile games for subscribers.

However, this push hasn’t been without challenges, as Netflix recently shut down its AAA game studio before it had released any titles.

FAQs

Q1. Which interactive specials will remain on Netflix after the removal?

Answer. The titles staying include Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls, and You vs. Wild.

Q2. Why is Netflix removing most of its interactive specials?

Answer. According to Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher, the feature had “served its purpose” and was now limiting Netflix’s shift toward other technological efforts.

Q3. What is Netflix focusing on instead of interactive specials?

Answer. Netflix is pursuing gaming with a selection of mobile games for subscribers, despite recent challenges like shutting down its AAA game studio before launching any titles.

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