"Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Dream Beyond PlayStation 6"

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, foresees a shift away from traditional gaming consoles among future generations, as industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate with new hardware. During an insightful interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan expressed skepticism about the younger generation's interest in upcoming console iterations, such as a potential 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, suggesting that modern kids are more inclined to engage with any digital screen, regardless of the device or location—even in cars. He emphasized the importance of a platform-agnostic future, noting that traditional console considerations like high-definition graphics and controllers might hinder progress. "If we look at this older model, I think it will restrain us," he added.

Despite his reservations, Tascan admitted a personal fondness for console gaming, particularly praising Nintendo's Wii. With extensive experience at major studios such as EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, he is well-versed in traditional console game development. However, Netflix's direction is leaning towards a different model.

Netflix has already made strides in adapting its IPs into games, offering titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game as subscription add-ons. Additionally, the company has experimented with providing access to well-known games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, playable directly on mobile devices. Tascan confirmed during the event that Netflix plans to further this strategy by developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is focused on minimizing barriers to gaming. "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," he stated. He views subscriptions as a form of friction, albeit beneficial for business, and mentioned a test where the subscription was waived for the mobile game Squid Game: Unleashed. He also highlighted other potential barriers, such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times. "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."

In early 2024, Netflix reported a tripling of gaming engagement throughout 2023, indicating continued investment in the gaming sector. This follows a CNBC report from 2021 that noted less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its ambitions by shutting down its AAA studio led by former developers of Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a Game Developer report from last month revealed cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix aims to cater to a market it believes will be less interested in consoles, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to release next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo is poised to unveil its new Switch 2 console at an upcoming Direct presentation, where fans eagerly await details on features, release dates, and pre-order information.