Netflix’s ambitious push into gaming continues to face turbulence. Two of its standout mobile games — Scriptic: Crime Stories and Reigns: Three Kingdoms — are set to leave the platform in December 2025.
This move marks another notable reduction in the company’s library, coming on the heels of earlier removals like Hades, Monument Valley, and Civilization VI.
While Netflix has rapidly grown its entertainment ecosystem beyond film and television, its gaming division remains experimental — with a rotating catalogue that changes as licensing agreements expire.
A Netflix representative previously clarified,
“Just like with series and films, games will be removed from Netflix as licenses expire. Players will notice a ‘Leaving Soon’ badge and will be notified by the app itself well in advance of removal.”
With these upcoming exits, Netflix’s game catalog faces renewed scrutiny over sustainability, game preservation, and player retention.
Scriptic: Crime Stories — An Interactive Detective Experience
Release Date: December 6, 2022
Developer: Electric Noir Studios
Leaving Netflix: December 8, 2025
Scriptic: Crime Stories redefined mobile gaming by blending true crime-inspired storytelling with realistic smartphone simulation. Players assumed the role of a detective navigating a virtual phone interface — analyzing text messages, videos, and social media profiles to solve murder mysteries.
Unlike traditional mobile games, Scriptic used found-footage storytelling and interactive dialogue to create an immersive, cinematic experience. Every player decision shaped the investigation’s outcome — from the trust built with suspects to the eventual case resolution.
The game’s unique approach was recognized with a BAFTA Games nomination and praise for “bridging the gap between entertainment and investigation.”
Electric Noir Studios, known for merging storytelling with technology, had collaborated exclusively with Netflix for the title’s global release. Its departure will mark the end of one of Netflix’s most acclaimed narrative-driven experiences.
Scriptic: Crime Stories Overview Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Scriptic: Crime Stories |
| Genre | Interactive Crime Drama |
| Developer | Electric Noir Studios |
| Netflix Release Date | December 6, 2022 |
| Leaving Netflix | December 8, 2025 |
| Gameplay Type | Real-time investigation through virtual phone interface |
| Unique Features | Found-footage storytelling, player-driven choices |
| Critical Reception | 8.5/10 (IGN), BAFTA-nominated for innovation |
| Re-release Status | Not yet confirmed for independent mobile stores |
Reigns: Three Kingdoms — Strategy Meets History
Release Date: November 29, 2022
Developer: Nerial Limited
Leaving Netflix: November 30, 2025
Reigns: Three Kingdoms brought the iconic swipe-based decision gameplay of the Reigns franchise into the heart of ancient Chinese history. Based on the Three Kingdoms era, players assumed the role of a ruler balancing alliances, diplomacy, and war across rival states.
Each swipe determined the fate of the player’s dynasty — a wrong move could cause rebellion or collapse. The minimalist design masked deep strategic complexity, drawing praise for translating historical politics into accessible, engaging gameplay.
As the fifth installment in the Reigns series, Three Kingdoms was exclusive to Netflix and was celebrated for its combination of humor, moral choices, and cultural storytelling.
Its removal marks the end of Netflix’s partnership with Nerial Limited for this title, though the developer has hinted at a possible independent re-release post-Netflix exit.
Reigns: Three Kingdoms Overview Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Reigns: Three Kingdoms |
| Genre | Strategy / Historical Simulation |
| Developer | Nerial Limited |
| Netflix Release Date | November 29, 2022 |
| Leaving Netflix | November 30, 2025 |
| Gameplay Type | Swipe-based political and strategic decisions |
| Setting | Ancient China during the Three Kingdoms era |
| Unique Features | Dynamic alliances, historical events, branching outcomes |
| Critical Reception | 8/10 (GameSpot), praised for elegant storytelling |
| Re-release Potential | Expected to arrive on mobile stores post-Netflix exit |
Netflix’s Game Licensing Model: Why Titles Leave?
Netflix Games operates similarly to its film and TV streaming divisions — titles are often licensed for limited periods. When contracts expire or studios choose to self-publish, Netflix must remove the games from its platform.
In the case of Scriptic and Reigns, both were licensed titles rather than Netflix-developed originals. This means the developers retain full publishing rights and can later distribute their games independently.
A spokesperson from Netflix previously explained,
“We’re still experimenting with how to best serve our members. Some games will remain on the platform long-term, while others rotate as part of our evolving library.”
This rotational model, however, has raised concerns among players who lose progress when games are delisted. Unlike console ecosystems where cloud saves often transfer, Netflix Games does not currently support save migration when titles leave the platform — a major pain point for users who invest significant time in story-based experiences.
How These Removals Affect Players?
When games leave Netflix, users lose access permanently — even if downloaded previously. Progress, achievements, and cloud data are deleted after removal.
What Players Should Know:
- “Leaving Soon” Notices: Appear in the app weeks in advance.
- Save Data Loss: Game saves are not transferable to standalone versions.
- Independent Re-Releases: Some titles (like Scriptic) may reappear on app stores later.
- Offline Access: Once delisted, offline play is also disabled.
Netflix recommends completing gameplay before removal dates to avoid data loss.
Netflix’s Growing List of Removed Games
Since 2024, Netflix has lost more than 25 games due to licensing expirations, studio closures, or strategic re-alignments.
Jordan Casey, a mobile gaming analyst at AppIQ, notes:
“Netflix’s gaming division is still in an experimental phase. They’re testing licensing, development partnerships, and subscriber engagement. Frequent removals show that the company is reassessing which titles truly add value to its ecosystem.”
Recent Major Removals Include:
- Hades
- Monument Valley 1 & 2
- Rainbow Six: SMOL
- TED Tumblewords
- Flutter Butterflies
- Steel Paws
- Civilization VI (leaving in December 2025)
While some of these removals were expected, the growing pace of delistings highlights the volatility of Netflix’s young gaming platform — a space still finding its long-term identity.
Dr. Emily Han, a media studies professor at the University of Toronto, adds:
“Unlike movies, games are interactive and tied to progress systems. Removing them disrupts continuity for players, creating a different kind of frustration compared to losing a TV show.”
Netflix’s Strategy Moving Forward
Despite the losses, Netflix remains committed to gaming. The company currently has over 80 titles in development, including both mobile and cloud-based projects tied to major IPs like Stranger Things and Squid Game.
Executives have hinted that the next phase of Netflix Games will focus on:
- First-party development (in-house studios like Night School and Boss Fight)
- Cross-platform cloud gaming
- Tighter integration with Netflix Originals
- Game preservation measures for longer-term availability
This pivot suggests that Netflix’s strategy is moving away from temporary licensing toward self-owned IP — ensuring stability and consistent player experiences.
Why It Matters?
The departure of Scriptic and Reigns underscores a growing challenge for subscription-based gaming: content permanence.
As more companies adopt streaming models for interactive media, the ability to preserve digital experiences becomes a defining issue. Without permanent access, even award-winning titles risk disappearing into digital obscurity once licenses expire.
For Netflix, the question isn’t whether it can attract great games — it’s whether it can keep them.
Conclusion
The loss of Scriptic: Crime Stories and Reigns: Three Kingdoms marks another evolution point in Netflix’s gaming experiment — a balancing act between innovation and impermanence.
As Netflix continues refining its approach, the company faces the dual challenge of building a sustainable library and earning long-term player trust.
While these removals might frustrate fans, they also signal a transitional phase — one where Netflix’s gaming ambitions are slowly shifting from experimental to essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scriptic leaves on December 8, 2025, and Reigns leaves on November 30, 2025.
No. Netflix game data does not transfer outside its platform.
It’s possible if new licensing deals are signed, though no such plans have been announced.
Developers may re-release them independently after leaving Netflix.
Games are removed when licensing contracts expire or studios decide to self-publish.
