Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Focus on Other Dreams

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where gaming is less dependent on traditional consoles. As industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate with new hardware, Tascan shared his insights during an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco. When asked about Netflix's interest in entering the console gaming market, Tascan expressed doubts about the younger generation's interest in future consoles like the PlayStation 6.

"Look at the younger generation. Are eight year-olds and ten year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I am not sure," Tascan remarked. He emphasized a shift towards a platform-agnostic future, where gamers engage with any digital screen, whether it's a phone, tablet, or even in-car entertainment systems. He pointed out that traditional console gaming focuses on high-definition graphics and specialized controllers, which he feels might limit the industry's growth.

Despite his reservations, Tascan admitted a fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a personal favorite. With his extensive experience at major studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, he's no stranger to traditional console releases. However, Netflix is steering towards a different path, focusing on mobile gaming and reducing barriers for gamers.

Netflix has successfully adapted its IPs into games, such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has offered popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition for mobile play. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this strategy, planning to develop party games and position itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is focused on reducing friction for gamers. "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," he told The Game Business. He views subscriptions as a necessary but still a form of friction, mentioning a test where they removed the subscription requirement for Squid Game: Unleashed. He also highlighted other barriers such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times.

Netflix's gaming engagement tripled in 2023, indicating strong growth despite a CNBC report from 2021 suggesting less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming ambitions by shutting down its AAA studio led by former developers of Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a Game Developer report noted recent cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix aims to cater to a console-less future, the industry continues to evolve. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Nintendo is preparing to unveil its next-generation console, the Switch 2, with a dedicated Direct presentation next week, where fans anticipate learning about its features, release date, and pre-order details.