Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where younger generations are less reliant on traditional gaming consoles. 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. This discussion followed a Netflix presentation in San Francisco where he was questioned about the company's potential interest in entering the console gaming market.

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 platform-agnostic gaming, where children are more interested in interacting with any digital screen, regardless of the device or location, including in cars. He believes that the traditional console model, with its focus on high definition and specific controllers, might limit Netflix's approach to gaming.

Despite his reservations, Tascan admitted a personal fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite. With his extensive background at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, he is no stranger to traditional console game releases. However, for Netflix, the trend is moving in a different direction.

Netflix has successfully adapted its IPs into games with subscription add-ons such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game. The company has also made notable games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available to subscribers, playable directly on mobile phones. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this mobile-first strategy, focusing on developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is keen on reducing barriers to gaming, stating, "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can." He views subscriptions as a form of friction, albeit beneficial for business, and mentioned a test where the subscription was removed for the mobile game Squid Game: Unleashed. He also highlighted other frictions such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and the time required to download games, all of which he aims to minimize.

Netflix reported a tripling of game engagement in 2023, indicating a strong commitment to further investment in gaming. This comes after a 2021 CNBC report noted that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming 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.

As Netflix targets a market less interested in traditional consoles, the future of gaming hardware from Sony and Microsoft remains robust, with expectations of a PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the cusp of a new console generation with its eagerly awaited Switch 2, set to be unveiled in a focused Direct presentation next week. Fans are eager to learn about the Switch 2's features, release date, and pre-order details.