Unleashed Has The Opportunity To Do What Even GTA Couldn’t Achieve

0 4 minutes read

Squid Game: Unleashed, the newly-released multiplayer battle royale based on Netflix’s hit series Squid Game couldn’t have come at a better time – and it could be set to achieve greatness. Netflix Games’ catalog already includes a great array of both classic and new games. but while its lineup is impressive, not many people seem to be aware of this additional service within their subscription.

Netflix has been adding games to its subscription service since the launch of Netflix Games in 2021. The service is iOS and Android-friendly, and these games are available for every profile within a Netflix household. Some of its most notable titles include games like Sonic Mania Plus, Hades, Exploding Kittens, and GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition. Despite these huge names, Netflix Games has arguably yet to make a mark in the gaming world.

Even Classic GTA Games Haven’t Really Helped Make Netflix Games A Household Name

Many Aren’t Aware of the Streaming Service’s Gaming Catalog

Despite being at the forefront of the app on mobile, Netflix Games isn’t talked about in the same way that Netflix itself is, nor is it ever compared to other subscription-based gaming services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Considering the ease of access in not needing a console, and plenty of households already having a Netflix subscription, the lack of fanfare around the service is a little concerning. Even across Reddit and X, the general conversations around Netflix Games are surprise that it actually has an impressive library.

How To Find & Play Netflix Games For iPhone, iPad & Android

Netflix games for iPhone, iPad and Android are included with an active video streaming subscription but might be a bit difficult to find at first.

This is especially surprising since Netflix Games was home to some of the most acclaimed Grand Theft Auto games. Until very recently, GTA 3 and GTA: Vice City, were included in the service, and Netflix subscribers can still access Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition. The Grand Theft Auto series is one of the most renowned in video game history, and being able to pick up and play classic GTA games from your phone, as part of an existing Netflix subscription, should have sky-rocketed Netflix Games in popularity.

Squid Game: Unleashed Could Put Netflix Games On The Map

A Smart Marketing Move by Netflix

At The Game Awards 2024, it was announced that Squid Game: Unleashed players don’t need a Netflix subscription – for a limited time, Squid Game: Unleashed is available for everyone, making it a smart move on Netflix’s part to garner attention toward its streaming and gaming service. Not to mention, the release of the game was timed well: it’s right before the release of Squid Game Season 2, which premieres December 26. Both of these are clever marketing moves on Netflix’s part, and they should guarantee the success of the game.

It’s also worth noting that a multiplayer battle royale game that can be played with friends and family means Squid Game fans can really put their skills to the test and compete to see who might really survive the games from the show. After the show’s first season premiered in 2021, plenty of fans were speculating on the best tactics to beat the games, and now they can just in time for season two. With the point of entry being just a phone – without a subscription – this vastly widens the audience pool, making it nearly limitless.

A composite image of Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun and Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man in Squid Game season 1

Squid Game Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know

Squid Game, the Korean Netflix phenomenon that took the world by storm in 2021, is heading back for season 2, and here’s everything we know.

Marrying the timing of the holidays, the game’s release, the launch of season two, the battle royale premise, and allowing anyone to play for free makes Squid Game: Unleashed a sure-fire hit. It’s especially exciting for Netflix, considering that this may just be the very move that puts Netflix Games on the gaming map alongside other game services.

Grand Theft Auto may not have been able to do it because these games are accessible on other platforms with stronger systems, in addition to the Definitive Trilogy’s controversial launch. Meanwhile, Squid Game: Unleashed is a fresh battle royale game, and it’s an official game that many Squid Game fans have been waiting for.

The Future of Netflix Games

What’s in Store for Netflix?

Though Netflix Games has arguable failed to make a splash in the gaming sphere so far, Squid Game: Unleashed may just be the game Netflix needs to pull consumers toward its gaming service. If users finally take note of the impressive game catalog, Netflix may just become an impressive game developer and giant.

Should this happen, Netflix may just create more games based on its popular series and gather the rights to other popular gaming franchises. The future is still unknown for Netflix, but there’s hope that Squid Game: Unleashed might just do for Netflix what GTA couldn’t.