Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Focus on 8-Year-Olds' Gaming Dreams

Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, anticipates a shift away from traditional gaming consoles among future generations. As industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo advance with new hardware, Tascan shared his perspective on the evolving gaming landscape during an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix event in San Francisco. When questioned about Netflix's potential foray into console gaming, Tascan expressed skepticism about younger gamers' interest in future consoles like the PlayStation 6.

"Look at the younger generation. Are eight-year-olds and ten-year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I am not sure," Tascan remarked. He emphasized a future where gaming platforms are more versatile, stating, "When it comes to console, we started to look at the future where the platform is agnostic. 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 admitted a fondness for console gaming, citing Nintendo's Wii as a personal favorite. With a background at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, he is no stranger to traditional console releases. However, Netflix's strategy is veering towards a different path.

Netflix has successfully adapted its IPs into games with subscription add-ons such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game. The company has also made notable games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available for mobile play. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this approach, focusing on developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

"I am very vigorous about lowering friction and eliminating it if we can," Tascan told The Game Business. "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, saying, "But the other friction is having enough controllers for family. Having a piece of hardware that might be expensive, that’s another friction. Waiting for a game to download, that’s another friction. I am [looking at] all the obstacles, and asking if we can reduce them as much as possible."

Netflix reported a tripling of game engagement in 2023, indicating a continued investment in gaming despite a CNBC report from 2021 suggesting less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its gaming ambitions by shutting down its AAA studio led by former developers from Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a Game Developer report from last month noted cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix aims to cater to 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. 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 its features, release date, and pre-order information.