The world of mobile games, admittedly, is rather new to Netflix—though Thronglets is 27th mobile game Netflix has released. This companion game is inspired by the episode “Plaything,” popular for its mind-and-world-bending inspirations by the series Black Mirror. This would mark a significant jump in Netflix’s gaming efforts. It’s built to make the experience better for subscribers too.
Thronglets is notable for being the first game directly connected to the narrative of a specific episode within the Black Mirror series. As a branded game, this fun little game dazzles players with adventures starring characters from popular Netflix Originals. It illustrates the platform’s growing desire to continue merging interactive entertainment with their expansive library of original content. Currently, Thronglets is available for Netflix subscribers on both iOS and Android devices, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Netflix’s gaming strategy has recently undergone a revamp, shifting focus towards four main areas: narrative games, multiplayer party games, games for kids, and mainstream titles. Meanwhile, stories like Thronglets continue the move toward the mainstream, showing Netflix’s clear desire to hook a broader demographic with diverse gaming experiences. So making a game out of one of its most popular, critically acclaimed shows is just brain genius. What’s more impressive is how well it plays to the established fan base of Black Mirror.
Thronglets isn’t even the first game inspired by Netflix’s apparently limitless intellectual property (IP). It does highlight a deeper, more intentional strategy that the streaming giant is increasingly pursuing in the gaming space. Until now, Netflix had been putting out a cocktail of indie darlings and existing favorites without any clear focus on what they were doing. Netflix is investing heavily in narrative-based experiences. By tying these narratives to the upcoming shows, they hope to create deeper, more personal connections between the story and their subscribers.
Crucially, Thronglets is not a children’s game. The way the game taps into its Black Mirror-esque source material is very much aimed at an adult base that desires the deeper, more adult-oriented gameplay. Netflix has taken big shots into the gaming market. Thus far, Thronglets has been the most original, inventive, and captivating development, at the intersection of popular culture and interactive storytelling.
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