Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Focus on Other Dreams

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, anticipates a future where younger generations are less reliant on traditional gaming consoles. This perspective comes as industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to advance with new hardware. Tascan shared his insights during an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, where he was questioned about the streaming giant's potential foray into console gaming.

Tascan expressed doubts about the younger generation's interest in future consoles, such as a PlayStation 6. He remarked, "Look at the younger generation. Are eight year-olds and ten year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I am not sure. They are wanting to interact with any digital screen, whatever it is, wherever it is, even in the car. With console, 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 reservations, Tascan holds a fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a personal favorite. With his extensive background at companies like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, traditional console game releases are not unfamiliar territory for him. However, Netflix's strategy is shifting towards a different approach.

Netflix has successfully developed game adaptations from its IPs, such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also offered popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition directly on mobile devices. Tascan emphasized during the event that Netflix plans to expand its focus on party games and position itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan is committed to reducing barriers to gaming, stating, "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 elaborated on other forms of friction, such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and the time it takes 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. However, a CNBC report from 2021 noted that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. In October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming ambitions by closing its AAA studio led by former developers from Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a recent Game Developer report mentioned layoffs at Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix targets a market less interested in consoles, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to release next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the brink of launching the Switch 2, with a dedicated Direct presentation scheduled for next week to unveil its new technology, features, release date, and pre-order details.