The Roundup: Netflix Doubles Down on Games, Zynga Targets Chat Platforms, and Free Fire Gears Up for Major Update

The Roundup: Netflix Doubles Down on Games, Zynga Targets Chat Platforms, and Free Fire Gears Up for Major Update image
By Mariam Ahmad 21 July 2025

In today’s roundup: Netflix deepens its push into mobile gaming following strong Q2 results, signaling a broader strategy to integrate interactive content with its streaming platform. Zynga pivots away from Web3, targeting Discord and Telegram as the next frontier for social gaming. And Garena prepares to launch one of Free Fire’s largest updates yet, bringing new characters, gameplay changes, and a Naruto-themed expansion later this month.

 

Netflix ramps up mobile gaming investment as streaming giant bets on i interactive entertainment

Following its Q2 2025 earnings call, Co‑CEO Greg Peters confirmed that Netflix will “ramp up” investment in gaming - still a relatively small part of its content budget - after seeing encouraging early engagement from titles like GTA and Squid Game: Unleashed. The company plans to add licensed hits and narrative-driven originals, and expects its WWE 2K mobile title to join the lineup in Autumn of this year.

Zynga shifts focus from Web3 to messaging-first gaming on Discord & Telegram

In a strategic pivot, Zynga has divested its Web3 gaming arm (including the Sugartown project) and is now developing social games designed for platforms like Discord and Telegram. CEO Frank Gibeau emphasized that these channels offer built-in communities and fast iteration—citing past successes like Words With Friends as a model for this shift.

Garena to launch Free Fire OB50 update on 31 July: Naruto chapter 2, new characters & game features

Players can expect the OB50 update for Free Fire to go live around 31 July 2025, following a closed Advance Server that launched on 11 July. The major update introduces Naruto Chapter 2, several new character additions, gameplay and UI enhancements, weapons rebalancing, and likely fresh game modes - comprising one of the franchise’s most substantial mid‑year patches.

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