Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where the next generation of gamers may not be as fixated on traditional gaming consoles. As industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate with new hardware, Tascan shared his perspective on the evolving gaming landscape 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 generation's interest in future consoles like the PlayStation 6. He noted, "Look at the younger generation. Are eight year-olds and ten year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I am not sure." He emphasized a shift towards a platform-agnostic future, where gamers interact with any digital screen, regardless of location—even in cars. Tascan believes that the traditional console model, with its focus on high definition and controllers, might limit Netflix's approach.

Despite his reservations, 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, he is no stranger to traditional console game releases. However, Netflix's strategy is moving in a different direction, focusing on mobile gaming and reducing barriers to entry.

Netflix says kids don't care about consoles. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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 reiterated Netflix's commitment to this strategy, aiming to develop party games and become a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is focused on minimizing friction for gamers, stating, "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can." He sees subscription models as a form of friction, albeit beneficial for business, and mentioned experiments like removing subscriptions for Squid Game: Unleashed. He also highlighted other frictions such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times, all of which he aims to reduce.

Netflix reported a tripling of game engagement in 2023, indicating a strong commitment to further investment in gaming. However, a CNBC report from 2021 noted that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with Netflix's games. In October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming ambitions by shutting down its AAA studio led by former developers from Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, cuts affected Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix anticipates a shift away from console gaming, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to continue developing next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Nintendo is on the cusp of a new console generation with the highly anticipated Switch 2, set to be unveiled in a focused Direct presentation next week. Fans are eager to learn more about the Switch 2's features, release date, and pre-order details.