Netflix is set to release 'Unhinged,' a first-person horror game that uses a smartphone as a controller, on June 30.

Netflix unveiled the new title from its internal studio, Night School—known for the 'Oxenfree' series—and announced its June 30 launch. The game requires no separate console or gamepad; instead, the user's smartphone acts as the controller. Players simply scan a QR code displayed on the TV screen with their phone to connect and begin. Moving the phone synchronizes with the protagonist's hand movements, allowing players to explore the screen as if shining a flashlight in the dark. Netflix notes that all you need to play is a subscription account, a smartphone, and about as much time as it takes to watch an episode of a drama.

The game is set in an apartment building trapped in a Category 5 hurricane. The protagonist, Ava, is isolated during a power outage, and the only link to the outside world is phone calls from her best friend, Claire, who lives across the street. However, the emergency exits are locked, and there is no response from the neighbor's apartment despite signs of movement inside. Ava eventually realizes she is not alone, and the story, which begins with a storm-induced blackout, gradually twists into an unpredictable thriller.

The game makes active use of the smartphone not just for controls, but for audio immersion as well. When Ava receives a call or text in the game, the user's actual phone rings and vibrates, with audio playing directly through the phone's speaker. Meanwhile, ambient sounds and effects are output through the TV, creating an immersive experience that shifts between the two devices.

The title was developed by Night School Studio, the creators of 'Oxenfree' and 'Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.' Founded in 2014, the studio was the first game developer acquired by Netflix in September 2021. The cast includes Zoë Kravitz (The Batman, Fantastic Beasts) as Ava, and Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, Spider-Man: Brand New Day) as Claire. Renowned voice actor Troy Baker is also slated to participate.

Netflix has been aggressive in its push into the gaming industry, securing mobile casual games, titles linked to its own IP, and mobile distribution rights for famous franchises. However, the company faced setbacks in 2024, including the closure of some studios and a lack of new releases. 'Unhinged' is seen as an effort by Netflix to pivot its gaming strategy toward immersive, narrative-driven experiences designed to be enjoyed on TV.