Netflix and BonusXP developed a free mobile game tie-in for '' Stranger Things '' , released to iOS and Android devices on October 4 , 2017 . The game uses a retro-pixel style of art , similar to games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . The game is loosely based on the '' Stranger Things '' story after season one , with the player starting as Chief of Police Jim Hopper looking for the missing boys . Once these characters are found , they become playable and have special abilities that allow the player to access more areas in the game . BonusXP had less than a year to complete the game . The team decided to make the game in a similar style to '' The Legend of Zelda '' because it " was a perfect match because both '' Stranger Things '' and '' Zelda '' are about exploration , and it 's kind of a mysterious fit that fit the mood of the show , " according to BonusXP president Dave Pottinger . The map of Hawkins in the game was based on a Google street view map of Jackson , Georgia where the series is filmed . In order to help keep the game a secret , BonusXP did not hire game testers for their quality assurance , instead having family members from the design team provide feedback ; this process helped create the two difficulty levels in the game . Completing the game gives players a clip from the first episode of the second season of the series . The game was downloaded 3 million times in the first week , becoming a top download and receiving critical praise . With the release of season two , an update to the game added Max as a playable character , and a release for the Amazon Fire TV , which included controller support . The game was nominated for " Mobile Game " at the 14th British Academy Games Awards
14th British Academy Games Awards
14th British Academy Games Awards
Stranger Things