Unleashed will be playable at launch without a Netflix subscription

Netflix announced at The Game Awards that its own Squid game Multiple mobile address It will be playable on Android and iOS without an active Netflix subscription when it arrives on December 17. However, the Free-for-All period will only be available for an unspecified “limited period.”

Squid: Unleashed game It lets you play with friends online in a series of mini-games. Contests are copied directly from the series or from similar thematically similar “classic childhood activities” (only with the addition of death).

Party Royale takes cues from Mario Party franchisebut its inspiration may have been more direct… and circular. In 2021, independent developer Dani published Crab game For Windows, macOS, and Linux. The title didn’t try to hide that it was inspired by the Netflix series (lobster, squid…get it?), which it was Taking the world by storm at that time. Mario Party style mini-games were initially Squid Game competitions, presented in cartoon video game form. However, it later expanded to include competitions different from the series.

Even though we haven’t played yet Squid: Unleashed gamethe gameplay in its trailer bears an uncanny resemblance to Crab gameincluding its (almost) cartoon-like art style. To be fair, the two may play out a lot differently than the Netflix trailer suggests. But based on what we’re seeing now, it looks like Netflix took inspiration from an indie developer who took inspiration from its series. (Cue Xzibit.) But hey, at least it doesn’t look like Netflix has sued an indie developer into oblivion.

Regardless of such back-and-forths in the gaming industry, Netflix’s Party Royale is timed to promote Squid game Season two The broadcast begins On December 26th. Squid: Unleashed game It launches exclusively in the Netflix app for Android or iOS On December 17th. You can check out the trailer below.