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New ‘Black Mirror’ Mobile Game ‘Thronglets’ Launches Alongside Season 7
A new mobile game, “Thronglets,” linked to the latest season of the acclaimed series “Black Mirror,” debuted on Thursday. This release strategically aligns with Season 7, enhancing the viewer experience through interactive gaming.
‘Thronglets’: A Companion Game to ‘Plaything’
Developed by Netflix’s Night School Studio, “Thronglets” serves as a companion experience to the “Black Mirror” episode titled “Plaything.” The game invites players to engage with virtual yellow creatures, tasking them with ensuring the digital pets’ survival.
Gameplay and Challenges
Success in “Thronglets” hinges on diligent pet care. When players effectively nurture their creatures, these virtual beings multiply, progressively increasing the difficulty of maintaining their well-being. To advance, players guide their creatures to:
- Gather resources
- Develop technologies
- Explore new environments
- Unlock tools and buildings
Darker Themes Emerge
While initially appearing similar to lighthearted virtual pet games like Tamagotchi, “Thronglets” introduces darker, more complex themes. The creatures possess sentience and communicate directly with the player. For example, an instance of resource gathering, such as tree felling, might prompt a creature to suggest a more efficient method like using bones instead of axes. This introduces a moral dimension, forcing players to contemplate sacrificing creatures for their bones to expedite progress.
Netflix’s Evolving Gaming Strategy
Netflix’s approach to gaming has undergone refinement. The company has articulated a clearer focus, centering its gaming endeavors around four key categories:
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- Narrative Games: Experiences deeply integrated with Netflix original series.
- Games for Kids: Entertainment tailored for younger audiences.
- Party Games: Multiplayer titles designed for social play.
- Mainstream Hits: Broad-appeal games, potentially encompassing licensed properties and original concepts.
“Thronglets” is positioned within this mainstream category, demonstrating Netflix’s strategic use of its popular intellectual property to engage users through interactive content.
Availability and Context
The “Black Mirror”-themed game, “Thronglets,” is presently accessible to Netflix subscribers on both iOS and Android platforms. Its release marks a strategic pivot for Netflix’s gaming division.
While Netflix has previously introduced games inspired by its intellectual property, “Thronglets” distinguishes itself as the first game intrinsically linked to the narrative of a specific episode. This tight integration signals a new direction in cross-media engagement.
Shifting Focus in Netflix Games
The launch of “Thronglets” occurs amidst a restructuring of Netflix’s gaming strategy, prompted by a recognition of past inconsistencies in its title releases. Netflix had previously experimented with a diverse range of games, including indie projects, established popular titles, and adaptations of its own series.
However, some ventures, such as the narrative-driven “Netflix Stories” game featuring adaptations from shows like “Love is Blind,” have been discontinued, indicating a need for strategic recalibration.
Jeet Shroff, Vice President of Games Technology and Portfolio Development, speaking at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), outlined the company’s refined focus on the four core game categories mentioned previously: narrative, multiplayer party, kids’, and mainstream titles.
Mainstream Gaming Success
“Thronglets” epitomizes the mainstream category and represents a calculated move by the streaming service to capitalize on the popularity of “Black Mirror.” Another instance of a successful mainstream release is “Squid Game: Unleashed,” which, according to data from Sensor Tower, has achieved approximately 20 million downloads, highlighting the potential of leveraging show-related games.