Red Dead Redemption just hit Netflix Games on December 2, 2025. It should be exciting news. Instead, it’s sparked a wave of skepticism and outright distrust from the gaming community. The reason? Netflix has spent the past year systematically removing games from its library, erasing player progress in the process, and demonstrating that its gaming platform can’t be relied on for long-term play. When GTA San Andreas disappeared on December 11, taking 57.4 million downloads worth of save data with it, the final straw broke.
The December 2025 Purge
December has been particularly brutal for Netflix Games subscribers. At least 13 mobile titles left the platform throughout the month, with the most significant loss being Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition on December 11. Game Rant reports this single game accounted for 14.5% of Netflix Games’ lifetime downloads, making it by far the platform’s most popular offering.
Joining San Andreas in the deletion pile were Kentucky Route Zero and Twelve Minutes, both critically acclaimed titles that players invested significant time completing. Earlier in December, Civilization 6 vanished on December 4, followed by Scriptic on December 7. Seven more titles disappeared on December 8, creating a steady drumbeat of removals that has shaken subscriber confidence.
The GTA purge is now complete. San Andreas follows GTA 3 and Vice City, which were removed in December 2024 after only one year on the platform. All three games joined Netflix on the same day in December 2023, making their brief tenure particularly disappointing for players who thought they’d have permanent access through their subscription.
The Summer Massacre
December’s removals pale in comparison to what happened in July 2025. IGN reported that Netflix delisted over 20 games in a single month, trimming nearly 20% from its catalog. The casualties included some of the platform’s most prestigious titles, games that should have been permanent fixtures attracting new subscribers.
Hades, the roguelike masterpiece that swept gaming awards, was only available on iOS through Netflix. When it disappeared on July 1, players lost their only mobile option for the game. The entire Monument Valley trilogy vanished, despite Monument Valley 3 receiving significant marketing push from Netflix just months earlier. Death’s Door, Katana Zero, Braid Anniversary Edition, The Case of the Golden Idol, and The Rise of the Golden Idol all got the axe.
Carmen Sandiego left in July after joining the service only in January 2025, giving players a mere six months with the title. This pattern of brief availability has become Netflix Games’ defining characteristic, and it’s killing trust.
Why This Destroys Trust
The fundamental problem isn’t just that games leave Netflix. Movies and shows cycle off streaming services regularly, and users accept that reality. Games are different. They require time investment. They have progression systems, unlockables, achievements, and save files that represent dozens or hundreds of hours of play.
When Hades disappears mid-run, players lose everything. The roguelike nature means you’re building up permanent upgrades across multiple attempts. YouTube creator Tin Sensei highlighted this exact issue in his viral video “Netflix Games Can’t Be Trusted,” noting you can’t simply buy Hades on another platform and continue where you left off. Your progress is gone forever.
The Golden Idol games present another painful example. These are mystery games where you gradually piece together complex narratives. Players invest mental energy remembering clues and connections. When the games vanish, that investment evaporates. Starting over on a different platform means re-solving puzzles you’ve already completed, destroying the experience.
| Game | Added to Netflix | Removed | Time Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTA San Andreas | December 2023 | December 11, 2025 | ~2 years |
| GTA 3 & Vice City | December 2023 | December 2024 | ~1 year |
| Carmen Sandiego | January 2025 | July 2025 | ~6 months |
| Hades | Unknown | July 1, 2025 | Unknown |
| Monument Valley 3 | 2024 | July 14, 2025 | Less than 1 year |
| Civilization 6 | Unknown | December 4, 2025 | Unknown |
The Studio Closures Tell the Story
Netflix’s revolving door of game removals reflects deeper problems with its gaming division. In October 2024, the company shut down its AAA gaming studio in Southern California mere months after expressing optimism about the division’s future. High-profile talent like former Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny, veteran Halo creative director Joseph Staten, and art director Rafael Grassetti all left when the studio closed.
In February 2025, Netflix laid off staff at Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree that Netflix acquired in 2021. GameSpot reported in February that Netflix canceled six previously announced games, including Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, Thirsty Suitors, and Don’t Starve Together. The company claimed it was trying to learn more about what members want, but the constant pivoting suggests they don’t actually know.
Netflix’s VP of GenAI for Games, Mike Verdu, lasted four months in that role before departing in March 2025. He had waxed prophetic about AI’s potential to unlock new gaming experiences, but apparently Netflix didn’t share his vision long enough to see it through.
The Licensing Excuse
Netflix’s official line is that games leave due to licensing expiration, just like movies and shows. A Netflix representative told What’s On Netflix that players would see a “Leaving Soon” badge and be notified by the app in advance of removal. This explanation might satisfy lawyers, but it misses the fundamental difference between passive media consumption and interactive play.
When you watch a movie on Netflix, you finish it in two hours. If it leaves the platform next month, so what? You’ve already seen it. Shows might take longer, but streaming services have trained audiences to binge entire seasons in days. Games don’t work that way. Players return to them repeatedly. They build towards long-term goals. They create emotional attachments to characters and worlds that develop over months or years.
The licensing model that works for Netflix’s core business actively sabotages its gaming division. Unless Netflix commits to either permanent availability or save file portability, the platform will never be trustworthy for serious gaming.
What About Red Dead Redemption?
Which brings us back to Red Dead Redemption. Rockstar’s beloved western epic arrived on Netflix Games December 2, replacing the GTA games that just left. It’s a phenomenal game that takes 40-60 hours to complete, not counting side content and exploration. Players who start it on Netflix Games are making a significant time commitment.
But why should they? Based on the GTA pattern, Red Dead will probably leave in December 2026. Game Rant expects at least a one-year tenure based on recent catalog patterns, but even that best-case scenario means rushing through a massive open-world game before it vanishes. The experience becomes stressful rather than enjoyable, with players constantly wondering how much time they have left.
Players who buy Red Dead on mobile through the App Store or Google Play pay more upfront but own it permanently. They can play at their own pace without fear of losing access. For a 50-hour game, that peace of mind is worth the extra cost.
The Bigger Digital Ownership Problem
Netflix Games represents an extreme example of digital distribution’s fundamental flaw, but it’s far from the only platform with these issues. Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus all technically provide licenses rather than ownership. If any of these services shut down, your library could vanish.
The difference is trust. Steam has operated since 2003 without removing purchased games from user libraries. Xbox and PlayStation have decades of track records. Even Epic Games Store, despite controversy, doesn’t randomly delete games from accounts. These platforms have built credibility through consistency.
Netflix Games has done the opposite. In less than three years of operation, it has established a pattern of adding games with fanfare, then quietly removing them months later. The company treats games like disposable content, ignoring player investment in favor of licensing convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Netflix Games save files to other platforms?
No. When a game is removed from Netflix, your save files and progress disappear with it. There’s no option to export saves or continue playing on another platform where you left off. This is one of the main reasons players can’t trust Netflix Games for long-term play.
Does Netflix warn players before removing games?
Yes. Netflix adds a “Leaving Soon” badge to games scheduled for removal and sends notifications through the app. However, these warnings are often short-term, giving players only weeks to finish games that might require dozens or hundreds of hours to complete.
Why does Netflix keep removing games?
Netflix claims the removals are due to licensing agreements expiring, similar to how movies and shows cycle off the platform. The company apparently negotiates temporary licenses rather than permanent rights, leading to the constant turnover in its game catalog.
What happens to games I’ve downloaded when Netflix removes them?
Downloaded Netflix games stop working once they’re removed from the service. The games require an active Netflix subscription and platform availability to function. Some games leave broken login screens or error messages after removal, adding insult to injury.
Are any games permanently available on Netflix?
While some games have stayed on the platform longer than others, there’s no guarantee any game is permanent. Even heavily marketed titles like Monument Valley 3 have been removed. Netflix hasn’t committed to maintaining any specific games indefinitely.
Should I start playing Red Dead Redemption on Netflix Games?
Based on past patterns, Red Dead Redemption will likely remain available for about one year, potentially until December 2026. If you can commit to finishing the 40-60 hour game within that timeframe and don’t mind potentially losing access, it’s worth playing. Otherwise, buying it outright provides better long-term value.
How does Netflix Games compare to Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass also rotates games in and out, but with crucial differences. Game Pass clearly labels games leaving the service and often offers discounts for purchasing them permanently. Microsoft-published games stay on Game Pass indefinitely. The platform has built more trust through transparent communication and consistent policies.
Did Netflix really shut down its AAA game studio?
Yes. In October 2024, Netflix closed its Southern California AAA game studio, resulting in the departure of high-profile developers including former Overwatch and Halo talent. The closure came despite Netflix previously expressing optimism about its gaming division’s future.
The Verdict
The title says it all. Netflix Games can’t be trusted for any game requiring significant time investment or emotional attachment. The platform works fine for casual puzzle games you’ll finish in a few hours. Beyond that, you’re risking your time and progress on a service that has repeatedly demonstrated it doesn’t value player investment.
The constant removals, studio closures, project cancellations, and strategic pivots paint a picture of a company that entered gaming without understanding what makes the medium different from passive entertainment. Until Netflix commits to either permanent game availability or save file portability between platforms, serious players should spend their time and money elsewhere. Your digital library deserves better than disappearing without warning.