Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where the next generation of gamers may not be as fixated on traditional gaming consoles. As industry giants 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 younger generation's interest in future consoles like the PlayStation 6. He noted, "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." Tascan emphasized a shift towards a platform-agnostic future, suggesting that the traditional console model, with its focus on high definition and controllers, might limit Netflix's approach.
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 no stranger to traditional console game releases. However, Netflix's strategy is moving in a different direction.
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 offered popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition directly on mobile devices. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this mobile-first strategy, focusing on developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.
Tascan is keen on 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 highlighted additional frictions such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times, all of which he aims to minimize.
Netflix's engagement with gaming has seen significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023. Despite this, the company scaled back its gaming ambitions in October 2024 by closing its AAA studio led by former developers of Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, cuts affected Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
While Netflix anticipates a shift away from console gaming, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to continue developing next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Nintendo, on the other hand, is preparing to unveil its Switch 2 at a focused Direct presentation next week, where fans eagerly await details on features, release dates, and pre-order information.
