Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Focus on Other Dreams

Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix, anticipates a future where the younger generation might not be as captivated by traditional gaming consoles. With industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo forging ahead with new hardware, Tascan's perspective sheds light on evolving gaming trends. In an insightful interview with The Game Business, following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan expressed doubts about the appeal of future consoles like a PlayStation 6 to the younger demographic.

"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 platform-agnostic gaming, where the next generation of gamers is more interested in interacting with any digital screen, be it on a phone or in a car. He pointed out that the traditional console model, with its focus on high-definition graphics and specialized controllers, may limit future gaming experiences.

Despite his fondness for console gaming, highlighted by his personal appreciation for Nintendo's Wii and his extensive experience at major studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, Tascan sees Netflix moving in a different direction. The company is already known for its game adaptations based on popular IPs, such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has ventured into offering well-known titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition directly on mobile devices.

Netflix is committed to reducing the barriers to gaming, as Tascan explained, "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can." He highlighted various frictions, such as subscription models, the need for multiple controllers in a family setting, and the time spent waiting for game downloads. To address these issues, Netflix has experimented with removing subscription barriers for games like Squid Game: Unleashed and is focusing on developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gamer families.

The company's engagement with games has seen significant growth, tripling in 2023, prompting continued investment in the gaming sector despite a CNBC report from 2021 indicating that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, Netflix scaled back its ambitions in October 2024 by closing its AAA studio led by veterans from Overwatch, Halo, and God of War, and recently made cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which it acquired in 2021.

While Netflix is steering away from traditional consoles, Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new iterations like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. Nintendo, on the other hand, is on the brink of a new console era with the highly anticipated Switch 2, set to be unveiled in a dedicated Direct presentation next week. Fans are eagerly awaiting details on the new features, release date, and pre-order information for the Switch 2.