Why is Monument Valley 3 Only on Netflix? The Exclusive Deal Explained
When Monument Valley 3 was announced, fans were surprised to learn it would launch exclusively on Netflix Games. This unexpected partnership marked a significant shift for one of mobile gaming's most beloved franchises. The decision sparked countless questions: Why Netflix? What happened to traditional app stores? And what does this mean for the future of premium mobile games? Let's explore the fascinating story behind this exclusive deal and what it reveals about the changing landscape of mobile gaming.
The Gamescom 2024 Announcement That Changed Everything
At Gamescom 2024, one of the gaming industry's biggest events, ustwo games made a bold announcement: Monument Valley 3 would launch exclusively on Netflix Games on December 10, 2024. This wasn't just a new game reveal—it was a statement about where premium mobile gaming was heading.
The announcement came with an additional surprise: the first two Monument Valley games, which had collectively earned millions of downloads and numerous awards, would also migrate to Netflix Games. This comprehensive move signaled that the partnership was more than a one-off experiment—it represented a strategic shift in how ustwo games planned to reach players.
The Real Reason: Visibility Crisis on the App Store
The producers of Monument Valley 3 didn't mince words when explaining their decision. They cited a fundamental problem plaguing premium mobile games: lack of visibility on Apple's App Store. Despite Monument Valley's legendary status and critical acclaim, competing for attention in an app store dominated by free-to-play games with aggressive marketing budgets had become increasingly challenging.
The App Store's algorithm and featured placement tend to favor games with high engagement metrics and monetization strategies built around in-app purchases and ads. Premium games that charge upfront—no matter how beautiful or innovative—often struggle to break through the noise. For a studio committed to creating ad-free, purchase-once experiences, this presented an existential challenge.
Netflix Games offered an alternative: a curated platform where quality mattered more than monetization tactics. With Netflix's massive subscriber base and commitment to ad-free gaming experiences, Monument Valley 3 could reach millions of players who valued artistic, thoughtful games without competing against casino simulators and battle royale clones.
An Animated Short Film to Celebrate the Launch
To promote Monument Valley 3's Netflix debut, an animated short film was created, bringing the game's ethereal world to life in a new medium. This collaboration demonstrated Netflix's commitment to treating games as premium entertainment worthy of cinematic promotion—something rarely seen in traditional mobile game marketing.
The short film captured the essence of Monument Valley's impossible architecture and emotional storytelling, serving as both a standalone piece of art and an invitation to experience the game. This level of promotional support highlighted one of the key advantages of the Netflix partnership: access to the streaming giant's content creation expertise and marketing reach.
The Multi-Platform Expansion: July 2025
The Netflix exclusivity period proved to be temporary. In July 2025, Monument Valley 3 expanded to a wide range of platforms, launching on Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This multi-platform release brought the game to traditional gaming audiences who had been waiting patiently.
The expansion strategy made business sense: use Netflix's platform to build initial buzz and reach a dedicated audience, then leverage that success to justify releases on premium gaming platforms where the Monument Valley brand had always been respected. Console and PC gamers, accustomed to paying for quality experiences, represented a natural audience for the franchise.
Interestingly, Netflix removed Monument Valley 3 from their platform on July 14, 2025—just days after the multi-platform launch. This timing suggests the exclusivity agreement had a specific term, and once fulfilled, ustwo games chose to focus on platforms where they could sell the game directly rather than through a subscription service.
What This Means for Premium Mobile Gaming
Monument Valley 3's journey from Netflix exclusive to multi-platform release tells a larger story about the challenges facing premium mobile games. The traditional app store model, once a haven for innovative indie games, has evolved into an ecosystem that often prioritizes engagement metrics and monetization over artistry and innovation.
The Netflix experiment demonstrated that alternative distribution models can work for premium games, at least temporarily. However, the eventual removal from Netflix and expansion to traditional gaming platforms suggests that subscription services may not be the final answer for studios seeking sustainable business models.
For players, the good news is that Monument Valley 3 is now available on multiple platforms, each offering the same beautiful, meditative experience that made the series famous. Whether you discovered it on Netflix or are playing it on your console or PC, the game's artistic vision remains intact.
Where to Play Monument Valley 3 Now
Today, Monument Valley 3 is available on Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Each platform offers the complete experience with stunning visuals optimized for their respective hardware. The game maintains its premium, ad-free approach across all platforms.
While the Netflix chapter of Monument Valley 3's story has closed, it opened important conversations about how we discover, access, and pay for quality games. The franchise's journey from mobile phenomenon to Netflix exclusive to multi-platform release reflects the evolving nature of game distribution in an industry constantly searching for sustainable models that serve both creators and players.
Continue Your Monument Valley 3 Journey
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