Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, anticipates a shift away from traditional gaming consoles among future generations. This perspective was shared 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 younger gamers' interest 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 emphasized a future where gaming is platform-agnostic, noting that children today are more interested in interacting with any digital screen, whether it's on a phone, tablet, or even in a car. He believes that traditional console models, with their focus on high definition and specialized controllers, might limit the company's reach.
Despite his fondness for console gaming, particularly Nintendo's Wii, Tascan's experience at major studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games informs his view that Netflix's strategy should diverge from traditional console game releases. The company has already made strides in this direction, offering game adaptations like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, as well as providing access to well-known titles such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition directly on mobile devices.
Tascan is focused on reducing "friction" in gaming, which includes subscription models, the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times. "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," he stated. This approach led to experiments like removing the subscription requirement for Squid Game: Unleashed, with potential future tests in mind.
Netflix's commitment to gaming is evident, with a reported tripling of game engagement in 2023. However, the company scaled back its ambitions in late 2024 by closing its AAA studio and making cuts at Night School Studio, which it acquired in 2021.
While Netflix moves away from console gaming, industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new consoles like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox, respectively. Meanwhile, Nintendo is set to unveil its Switch 2 with a dedicated Direct presentation, where fans eagerly await details on features, release dates, and pre-order information.
Netflix says kids don't care about consoles. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
