Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where younger generations may not be as attached to gaming consoles as they are today. As industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to develop new hardware, Tascan shared his perspective on the evolving gaming landscape during an interview with The Game Business after a Netflix event in San Francisco. When asked about Netflix's potential interest in console gaming, Tascan expressed doubts about whether younger audiences are even interested 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 elaborated on the shift towards platform agnosticism, suggesting that kids today are more interested in interacting with any digital screen, regardless of where it is—even in cars. He believes that focusing on traditional console models could limit Netflix's potential. "With console you’re thinking about high definition, you’re thinking about the controller... If we look at this older model, I think it will restrain us."
Despite his reservations, Tascan admitted a personal fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite. With his extensive experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, he's no stranger to traditional console releases. However, for Netflix, the focus is shifting elsewhere.
Netflix has successfully ventured into game adaptations of its IPs, offering titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game as subscription add-ons. The company has also made notable games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available to subscribers, playable directly on mobile devices. Tascan emphasized that Netflix will continue to expand this approach, focusing on developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.
"I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," Tascan stated. He discussed various forms of friction, including subscriptions, which he views as beneficial but still a hurdle. "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 also highlighted other challenges, such as the need for multiple controllers for family play, the cost of hardware, and the time it takes to download games. "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 reported a tripling of game engagement in 2023, indicating continued investment in the gaming sector despite a CNBC report from 2021 showing less than 1% of subscribers engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its ambitions by closing its AAA studio, which was led by former developers of Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, cuts affected Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
While Netflix aims to cater to a market less interested in traditional game consoles, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new consoles such as the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Nintendo is on the cusp of a new console generation with its eagerly awaited Switch 2, set to be revealed in a focused Direct presentation next week. Fans are keen to learn about the new features, release date, and pre-order details of the Switch 2.
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