Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where younger generations may move away from traditional gaming consoles. As major industry players 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 relevance of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 to younger audiences. "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 that today's youth are more interested in engaging with digital screens across various devices, including in cars, rather than being tied to specific gaming hardware.
Despite his fondness for console gaming, particularly citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite, Tascan's experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games has not swayed Netflix's direction. The company is instead focusing on a platform-agnostic approach, allowing games to be played on any device, especially mobile phones.
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 made notable titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available to subscribers. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this strategy, aiming to develop party games and position itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.
Tascan is focused on reducing barriers to gaming, including subscription models and the need for expensive hardware. "I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," he stated. He highlighted the challenges of needing multiple controllers for family play and the time it takes to download games as significant frictions that Netflix aims to minimize.
Netflix's engagement with gaming has seen significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023. However, the company has also faced setbacks, such as the closure of its AAA studio in October 2024 and recent cuts at Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
While Netflix anticipates a shift away from console gaming among younger audiences, industry giants like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are forging ahead with new hardware. Nintendo is set to unveil its next-generation Switch 2 at a Direct presentation next week, where fans eagerly await details on its features, release date, and pre-order information.
