Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, anticipates 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 interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan shared his perspective on how gaming enthusiasts might soon engage with their favorite titles.
When asked about Netflix's potential foray into console gaming, Tascan expressed doubts about the younger generation's 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," he remarked. He emphasized a future where gaming platforms become agnostic, stating, "They are wanting to interact with any digital screen, whatever it is, wherever it is, even in the car. With consoles, 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 concerns, Tascan admitted a personal fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite. His extensive experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games underscores his familiarity with traditional console game releases. However, he noted that Netflix is charting a different course.
Netflix says kids don't care about consoles. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
Netflix has successfully developed game adaptations of its IPs, such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also offered access to popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition. These games can be played directly from a mobile phone, aligning with Tascan's vision of reducing friction in gaming. He elaborated on this during the event, stating that Netflix plans to expand into party games and become a hub for kids and gaming families.
Tascan emphasized his commitment to lowering barriers to entry, saying, "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can. I see that the subscription is friction as well. 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 further identified other forms of friction, such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and waiting times for game downloads, all of which he aims to minimize.
In early 2024, Netflix reported that its gaming engagement had tripled throughout 2023, indicating a strong commitment to further investment in gaming despite a CNBC report from 2021 suggesting 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 from Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a recent Game Developer report highlighted cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
As Netflix aims to capture a market less interested in traditional consoles, industry leaders like Sony and Microsoft are expected to continue developing next-generation hardware like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the cusp of a new console era with its eagerly awaited Switch 2, set to be unveiled in a focused Direct presentation next week, where fans anticipate details on features, release dates, and pre-order information.
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