
Warning! Netflix Makes SQUID GAME Video Game Available to Anyone
By Movieguide® Contributor
Netflix is promoting the second season of SQUID GAME by launching a new video game available to non-subscribers, but the show’s extreme violence should give gamers pause.
“Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer battle royale game,” a description of “Squid Game: Unleashed” reads. “Play with friends (or enemies) online and see if you have what it takes to outlast and defeat all the other contestants in each twisted tournament. With deadly challenges pulled from the series and more games inspired by classic childhood activities, each round is a dark trip down memory lane. Can you make it through playtime alive?”
The release of a game to non-Netflix subscribers breaks from the company’s normal strategy. Netflix Games president Alain Tascan explained that the decision to open the game up to everyone will generate hype for the second season of the show.
“SQUID GAME is Netflix’s most watched series ever, and we want everyone around the world to be able to take part in its return by making Unleashed available to everyone, which is a first for Netflix Games,” Tascan said. “‘Squid Game: Unleashed’ is all about playing with (or against) your friends in the iconic games from the series like Glass Bridge and Red Light Green Light, so we’re inviting everyone into the chaos this holiday season.”
Though the play period for non-Netflix subscribers is limited, it will last through the release of Season 2 of SQUID GAME on Dec. 26.
Nobody should be playing this game, though, as SQUID GAME is a perverse story that warps the most popular games played by children and strongly emphasizes violence.
READ MORE: SQUID GAME IS EXCESSIVELY VIOLENT WITH FEW REDEEMING ELEMENTS
Putting content like this in front of anyone, but especially kids, can be harmful.
“Research shows that children imitate, even from the moment of birth,” said Movieguide® founder Dr. Ted Baehr. “Children follow the examples that are set for them, not only in real life, but also in literature. Parables are examples of teaching tales people have used to help children learn how to live. Research shows that the entertainment media provide ‘scripts’ for a child’s future behavior.”
This observation played out in real life.
Shortly after SQUID GAME’s Season 1 release, a school banned students from wearing costumes inspired by the show because they were mimicking the violent acts it portrayed.
The Fayetteville-Manlius School District Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice said: “Staff members have recently noted that some students at recess have been mimicking games from SQUID GAME…[which] is intended for mature audiences due to the violence depicted in the show. Because of this activity, our principals wanted to make sure our families are aware that it would be inappropriate for any student to wear to school a Halloween costume from this show because of the potential violent messages aligned with the costume.”
While Netflix’s goal of making the game available to anyone seems to simply be a way to expand their gaming platform, parents should be aware that their kids can access it with a simple Google search.
READ MORE: IS NETFLIX GAMES IN TROUBLE?