“It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.” Soothing words when you’re a kid on the playground, but in the wild world of Squid Game, they hit different. In the thick of a 32-person online game of Red Light, Green Light, the difference between you and the end goal being a series of gigantic saw blades, the mantra might not feel so benign. The latest from Netflix and internal studio Boss Fight Entertainment, Squid Game: Unleashed takes all the thrills of the hit Netflix show and puts them in your pocket.

And for the first time ever, Netflix will make Squid Game: Unleashed available to everyone for a limited time, regardless if you’re a Netflix member or not. 

What’s Squid Game: Unleashed about?

Like the hit dystopian thriller series it’s named after, Squid Game: Unleashed takes classic children’s games and puts a dark spin on them. Team up with friends or compete against up to 32 players for the ultimate prize: survival. You’ll earn money along the way to customize your avatar and advance through tougher and tougher challenges as you make your way up the tournament ranks. 

An in-game screenshot from ‘Squid Game: Unleashed,’ featuring game characters competing against each other in the challenge Red Light, Green Light

What kind of game is Squid Game: Unleashed?

Squid Game: Unleashed is an online party royale game for up to 32 players. You’ll compete in live-or-die versions of games like Glass Bridge and Red Light, Green Light. As you progress through the scenarios inspired by the show, you’ll access harder games and earn money to unlock new cosmetics like outfits, animations, and emojis. That’s assuming you survive this (virtual) mortal coil –– one false move, and you could suffer a fate far worse than anything you’ve seen on the show. 

Do I need to watch the show to play Squid Game: Unleashed?

Nope! You don’t need to have watched the show Squid Game to play this game. If you’re familiar with the source material, you might have an advantage, but Squid Game: Unleashed was designed to be enjoyed even if you haven’t seen the show. 

Where can I get Squid Game: Unleashed? Is it free?

For the first time ever, Netflix will make its upcoming party royale game Squid Game: Unleashed available to everyone for a limited time, regardless if you’re a Netflix member or not. The announcement was made Thursday, live at The Game Awards in Los Angeles, ahead of the game’s Dec. 17 release. Like all Netflix Games, Squid Game: Unleashed will come without any ads or in-app purchases. 

“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,” said Alain Tascan, president, Games at Netflix. “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.”