Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Not Dreaming of PlayStation 6

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, anticipates a shift away from traditional gaming consoles among future generations. As major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate with new hardware, Tascan shared his insights on the evolving gaming landscape during an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco.

Tascan expressed skepticism about younger gamers' interest in upcoming console iterations, such as 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. 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 fondness for console gaming, particularly citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite from his time at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, Tascan sees Netflix moving in a different direction. The company has successfully adapted its IPs into games with titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also made popular games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available to subscribers on mobile devices. Netflix plans to further this strategy by focusing on party games and positioning 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 highlighted additional frictions such as the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and download times, questioning how these obstacles can be minimized.

Netflix's focus on gaming has shown significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023. However, the company scaled back its ambitions in October 2024 by shutting down its AAA studio and making cuts at Night School Studio, which it acquired in 2021.

While Netflix targets a console-less future, traditional console manufacturers like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo continue to push forward. Nintendo is on the brink of unveiling the Switch 2, with a dedicated Direct presentation scheduled for next week, where details about its features, release date, and pre-order information are expected to be revealed.