Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Dream Beyond PlayStation 6

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where the younger generation is less reliant on gaming 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 potential foray into console gaming, Tascan expressed skepticism about the younger demographic's interest in future consoles like a 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 highlighted a shift towards a platform-agnostic future, where young gamers are more interested in engaging with any digital screen, be it on a phone, tablet, or even in a car. Tascan believes that the traditional console model, with its focus on high definition and specific controllers, might limit Netflix's approach to gaming.

Despite his concerns, Tascan has a fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a personal favorite. With his extensive experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, the concept of traditional console releases is familiar to him. However, Netflix is steering in a different direction, focusing on mobile gaming and reducing barriers to entry for gamers.

Netflix has successfully adapted its IPs into games like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also offered popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition directly on mobile devices. Tascan emphasized that Netflix aims to expand this strategy, developing party games and positioning itself as a gaming hub for kids and families.

"I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," Tascan told The Game Business. He sees subscription models as a form of friction, though potentially beneficial for business. To test this, Netflix eliminated the subscription requirement for the mobile game Squid Game: Unleashed, hinting at potential future experiments. Tascan also identified other forms of friction, such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and the time it takes to download games, and is committed to reducing these obstacles as much as possible.

In early 2024, Netflix reported a tripling of game engagement throughout 2023, reaffirming its commitment to the gaming sector despite a CNBC report from 2021 indicating that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming ambitions by closing 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.

As Netflix targets a market less interested in traditional consoles, the future of gaming hardware remains robust. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, respectively. Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the cusp of unveiling the Switch 2, with a dedicated Direct presentation next week that will likely reveal more about its features, release date, and pre-order details.