Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Dream Beyond PlayStation 6

Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix, envisions a future where gaming is less dependent on traditional consoles. During an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix event in San Francisco, Tascan expressed skepticism about the younger generation's interest in upcoming console hardware like the PlayStation 6. He highlighted that today's kids are more focused on interacting with any digital screen, regardless of location or device, including in cars.

"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 that consoles are associated with high definition graphics and controllers, which he believes could limit future gaming experiences. "If we look at this older model, I think it will restrain us."

Despite his fondness for console gaming, with a special mention of Nintendo's Wii, Tascan's career spans significant roles at EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games. However, for Netflix, the direction is clear: moving away from traditional console releases and towards a more accessible, platform-agnostic approach.

Netflix has successfully ventured into game adaptations with titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also provided access to popular games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition. These games can be played directly on mobile devices, aligning with Tascan's strategy to reduce barriers to gaming. He is keen on eliminating friction points, such as the need for subscriptions or expensive hardware, and even the wait time for game downloads.

"I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," Tascan stated. "I see that the subscription is friction as well. Maybe good friction because it makes business sense, but still we did the test of eliminating subscription for [mobile game] Squid Game: Unleashed. And we may do other tests."

He further elaborated on other forms of friction: "But the other friction is having enough controllers for family. Having a piece of hardware that might be expensive, that's another friction. Waiting for a game to download, that's another friction. I am [looking at] all the obstacles, and asking if we can reduce them as much as possible."

Netflix's commitment to gaming has seen a significant increase in engagement, with games engagement tripling in 2023. However, the company scaled back its gaming ambitions in 2024 by shutting down its AAA studio and making cuts at Night School Studio, which it acquired in 2021.

While Netflix anticipates a market less interested in consoles, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to continue releasing new hardware, such as the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. Nintendo is on the cusp of a new console generation with the Switch 2, set to be unveiled in a Direct presentation next week, where details on features, release date, and pre-orders will be shared.