Netflix expands TV game lineup with Conjuring spinoff

Netflix's interactive games now offer a deeper, narrative-driven experience that leverages your phone for immersive control.

Netflix is expanding its gaming offerings with the release of "The Conjuring: Unspoken," a new horror game set in The Conjuring universe. The game, which launches exclusively on Netflix on October 13th, allows players to use their phones as controllers for an interactive paranormal investigation. Players assume the role of demonologist Francesca Noakes, exploring the haunted Red Lion Inn and using ghost-hunting tools like an electromagnetic field reader, infrared camera, and spirit box. The narrative experience is enhanced by dialogue choices that shape the story, and familiarity with the Conjuring movies is recommended for a fuller impact. Developed by Supermassive Games, known for titles like "The Quarry," this release follows Netflix's earlier horror game "Unhinged," though the studio behind "Unhinged," Night School, was recently shut down by Netflix.

This move signals Netflix's continued investment in interactive content and its strategy to leverage popular intellectual properties like "The Conjuring" to drive engagement on its platform. By integrating phone-based controls, Netflix aims to lower the barrier to entry for gaming and create a more accessible, couch-friendly experience that complements its existing video content. The success of "The Conjuring: Unspoken" could pave the way for more such interactive titles, potentially blurring the lines between passive viewing and active gameplay.

The development by Supermassive Games, despite recent layoffs, highlights the ongoing demand for narrative horror experiences. However, the simultaneous shutdown of Night School, the studio behind "Unhinged," suggests a consolidation or a shift in Netflix's internal gaming studio strategy. This duality indicates that while Netflix is committed to expanding its gaming library, it is also actively evaluating and potentially restructuring its gaming development arms.