- Thronglets is linked to season seven episode Plaything
- The game was cancelled in the Black Mirror universe
- Netflix has released a mobile version to play
Netflix has cleverly dropped a video game linked to the new season of Black Mirror, which its subscribers can play for free.
Season seven of the hit sci-fi series includes an episode called Plaything. It centers around ‘90s video game journalist Cameron Walker (played by Lewis Gribben) previewing the latest creation from Tuckersoft programmer Colin Ritman (played by Will Poulter).
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Ritman, who also appeared in Black Mirror’s interactive Bandersnatch episode, reveals his new creation – something called Thronglets. He insists it doesn’t qualify as a traditional “game” and it only exists as data on a CD-ROM.
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Thronglets is like a cross between a Tamagotchi and The Sims. You hatch a “little yellow gerbil thing” and care for it – eventually building up a group collectively known as a Throng. But there’s a twist, as the Thronglets you’re nurturing are actually alive, which takes the episode into dark, surreal territory.
In the Black Mirror universe, the game was cancelled in 1994 and never released for being deemed too dangerous. However, in reality, Netflix has released a version of the game.
Cross over into the world of Black Mirror
On 10 April, Netflix released a version of the Thronglets game so people can “Cross over into the world of Black Mirror and experience Thronglets, the retro virtual pet simulation at the center of the Season 7 episode Plaything. These pixel art critters won’t just take over your phone; they could take over your life.” It was developed by Night School, the studio that Netflix acquired in 2021 and who made games such as Oxenfree and Afterparty.
As a player, you’ll have to hatch and raise the furry yellow creatures, bathing them, feeding them and entertaining them, as they spawn more Thronglets.
Netflix says the game is not really only about raising virtual pets, but “exploring the depths of human nature and the consequences of our digital obsessions.”
At its core, it plays like a typical mobile building game. Your Throng will mine for resources, develop new tools, and open up new areas on the pixelated map for exploration. But it can also take a dark turn with the Thronglets being self-aware and sentient. They will ask you things directly and if your push notifications are on, it might all feel a bit surreal and intense.
As you progress through the game, you unlock video clips from a documentary titled Ritman Retrospective. It features interviews from Ritman himself and Tuckersoft chief Mohan Thakur (played by Asim Chaudhry).
How to play Thronglets
Surprisingly, the game isn’t available on the Netflix app, but is available to download now for free on both iOS and Android. However, you will need a Netflix subscription to log in and play.
Black Mirror season seven is now streaming on Netflix.
