Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Focus on Other Dreams

Alain Tascan, Netflix's President of Games, envisions a future where the younger generation may not be as fixated on gaming consoles as the industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to develop new hardware. In a recent interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan discussed the evolving landscape of gaming and how Netflix plans to navigate it.

When asked about Netflix's interest in entering the console gaming market, Tascan expressed skepticism about the appeal 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 kids are more interested in interacting with any digital screen, regardless of the device or location, including in cars. Tascan believes that traditional console gaming, with its focus on high-definition graphics and specialized controllers, may limit the potential reach of gaming experiences.

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 well-versed in traditional console releases. However, for Netflix, the trend is shifting towards more accessible gaming options.

Netflix has already made strides in game adaptations and mobile gaming, offering titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game, Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and even classics like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition. These games are accessible directly from subscribers' mobile phones, aligning with Tascan's vision of reducing barriers to gaming. He highlighted Netflix's plans to further develop party games and position itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is focused on minimizing friction in gaming experiences. He explained, "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 also pointed out other potential frictions, such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and waiting times for game downloads, all of which Netflix aims to mitigate.

Netflix's commitment to gaming was underscored by a tripling of game engagement throughout 2023, as reported in early 2024. Despite this growth, the company scaled back some of its gaming ambitions, including shutting down its AAA studio in October 2024 and making cuts at Night School Studio, acquired in 2021. These moves reflect a strategic shift towards more accessible gaming solutions.

While Netflix anticipates a future with less reliance on gaming consoles, industry leaders like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo continue to push forward. Nintendo is set to unveil its next-generation console, the Switch 2, in an upcoming Direct presentation, where details about its features, release date, and pre-order information are eagerly awaited by fans.