News: 0175403129

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Netflix Is Removing Nearly All of Its Interactive Titles (theverge.com)

(Monday November 04, 2024 @10:30PM (BeauHD) from the fun-while-it-lasted dept.)


According to The Verge, Netflix [1]plans to delist almost all of its interactive shows and films as of December 1st. Only four of the 24 interactive titles will remain: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls, and You vs. Wild. From the report:

> The removal of the titles marks a disappointing conclusion to Netflix's earliest efforts into interactive content. The company first launched the interactive titles in 2017 with Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, and I remember being wowed (and horrified) by paths in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. In addition to specials based on franchises like Carmen Sandiego and Boss Baby, Netflix also tried ideas like a daily trivia series and a trivia game you could play with a friend. But the relatively few titles available suggests the format wasn't much of a hit -- Puss in Book has apparently been gone for a while.

"The technology served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas," spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher says.



[1] https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/4/24287857/netflix-removing-interactive-titles-games



Netflix has interactive titles? (Score:4, Insightful)

by dgatwood ( 11270 )

What's an interactive title?

No, seriously. Just like the whole Netflix game studio thing, I keep hearing about companies like Netflix cancelling things that I've never heard of and didn't even know that they did. Not that I would necessarily care even if I did know, but I've actually seen one of the shows that one of those interactive titles is based on, and I *still* haven't heard of it.

Maybe Netflix should use that top box to highlight new features instead of wasting it on shows that I am almost never interested in.

Re: (Score:1)

by VertosCay ( 7266594 )

> What's an interactive title?

> No, seriously. Just like the whole Netflix game studio thing, I keep hearing about companies like Netflix cancelling things that I've never heard of and didn't even know that they did. Not that I would necessarily care even if I did know, but I've actually seen one of the shows that one of those interactive titles is based on, and I *still* haven't heard of it.

> Maybe Netflix should use that top box to highlight new features instead of wasting it on shows that I am almost never interested in.

That was my question. Are we supposed to yell at the TV now?

Re:Netflix has interactive titles? (Score:4, Funny)

by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 )

> Are we supposed to yell at the TV now?

I've been doing that for 50 years - even without Netflix's help!

Re: (Score:2)

by newcastlejon ( 1483695 )

Do you remember the "choose your own adventure" books? Same thing, but a film.

Re: (Score:2)

by Firethorn ( 177587 )

So basically just what I was thinking. Of course, my problem with the "choose your own adventure" is the same I have with a lot of RPG games - my reaction on what I'd do when the choice comes up matches none of the options.

Re: (Score:3)

by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 )

If you want Calculon to race to the lasergun battle in his hover Ferrari, press 1.

If you want Calculon to double-check his paperwork, press 2. Enter now!

Re: (Score:2)

by Gilgaron ( 575091 )

Bandersnatch was kinda fun because the same choices looped would change. I recall Kimmy Schmidt being enjoyable too, not sure I tried the others. Not sure why they'd remove them unless they had trouble carrying the tech forward to new interface standards or something.

Purpose (Score:2)

by Kunedog ( 1033226 )

> The technology served its purpose

Have they done enough research that they feel the interactive ad trials are ready?

How exactly is Netflix removing a feature, news fo (Score:1)

by jasonw61 ( 185955 )

Explain:

Re: How exactly is Netflix removing a feature, new (Score:1)

by Fortnite_Beast ( 10429778 )

I think we're supposed to comment on the Minimum Viable Product and how Netflix runs as a lean startup at scale, or something. Maybe say a few words about enshitification while we're at it. And in closing, complain that there was no Cowboy Neal option in any of the interactive choices.

thanks f*** (Score:3)

by kalieaire ( 586092 )

i've always hated the fact they were trying to put stupid games and interactive bs. i go to netflix to watch stuff, i don't have any braincells to use anything else.

I had the rare misfortune of being one of the first people to try and
implement a PL/1 compiler.
-- T. Cheatham