Netflix launches Squid Game spin-off ahead of season two premiere - how to access for free

Excitement for Squid Game is reaching new heights with the highly-anticipated release of season two on December 26, and Netflix has now unveiled an exciting spin-off to ramp up the anticipation.

The streaming giant announced the launch of a brand-new action-packed video game named Squid Game: Unleashed, offering it up for free temporarily for all non-subscribers.

Although no end date has been set yet, eager fans will be able to immerse themselves in the game at no cost, at least until the second season drops.

In line with Netflix's approach to mobile gaming, there will be no distractions from ads or temptations of in-app purchases. However, once the introductory offer expires, a valid Netflix subscription will be necessary for continued gaming.

Netflix boasts about the game stating: "Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer battle royale game. 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."

The game's description continues: "With deadly challenges pulled from the series and more new games inspired by classic childhood activities, each round is a dark trip down memory lane. Can you make it through playtime alive?".

Teasers for the upcoming season surfaced in October when Netflix released a trailer highlighting Seong's daring endeavours to flip the script on the game's malevolent masters, reports the Mirror.

Stepping back into the treacherous domain of the Squid Game, the protagonist is now seen orchestrating an uprising against the game's sinister hierarchy.

In its first season, which was critically acclaimed, viewers met Seong Gi-hun (portrayed by Lee Jung-jae), who entered a lethal game alongside 455 others, all vying for a staggering cash reward of 45.6 billion won.

Since its debut in 2021, devoted fans have been on tenterhooks during a gruelling three-year wait to witness the dramatic sequence of events unfold. The smash-hit series took Netflix by storm, becoming its most-viewed series of 2021 and topping the charts in an impressive 94 countries worldwide.

It drew in over 142 million member households and racked up 1.65 billion viewing hours within its initial four weeks, outperforming Bridgerton to become the platform's most-watched show.

It has garnered numerous awards including the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film for O-Yeong-su and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. A third series has been confirmed, set to premiere on Netflix in 2025, but it will mark the end of the franchise.

Squid Game season two airs on Netflix on December 26