Netflix has snagged Subset Games’ Into the Breach as an exclusive offering for iOS and Android. Starting on July 19, 2022 Netflix subscribers will be able to play the turn-based tactical mechs vs. kaiju game for free with no in-app advertisements or purchases.
Also on July 19, Into the Breach will be getting a free content update available on all platforms. Said update will include new playable mechs, new pilots, and new challenges and objectives for players. Subset Games is also releasing a physical edition of the critically-acclaimed game through publisher FanGamer.
The surprise announcement from Subset Games lines up with how Justin Ma and Matthew Davis have announced their plans to the world in the past. As the pair told us in 2018, the high expectations set by FTL: Faster Than Light drove them to not announce anything about Into the Breach until it was close to launch. “we tried to not give them any expectations,” Ma said at the time.
Netflix landing mobile exclusivity for Into the Breach is a big win for the streaming service’s video game plans. FTL: Faster Than Light was a huge hit on iOS, and still ranks high in the “strategy” and “simulation” download categories 10 years after its initial launch.
In April, The Washington Post reported that the company plans to have 50 games available via its mobile app by the end of 2022. Given that FTL: Faster Than Light was never available on Android, making the game playable on both major mobile platforms is a big boon for Subset Games.
A few weeks ago, the company announced that a number of games based on its originals shows including Shadow and Bone: Destinies, Too Hot to Handle, and Queen’s Gambit Chess are headed to the service as well.
It’s also planning to release games from Ustwo, Snowman, Devolver Digital and Downwell creator Ojiro Fumoto.
Netflix’s push into games comes as the company struggles with its first-ever loss in subscribers, which tanked its stock value earlier this year. It’ll be interesting to see if the growing games library pulls subscribers back in 2022 and 2023.