Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where younger generations may not be as invested in traditional gaming consoles as industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate with new hardware. During an insightful interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan delved into how gaming fans might interact with their favorite games in the future. He questioned the appeal of upcoming consoles like the PlayStation 6 to younger audiences, suggesting that the preferences of today's children are shifting away from console-centric gaming.

"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 become more agnostic, allowing players to engage with digital screens in various settings, including cars. Tascan highlighted that traditional consoles, with their focus on high-definition graphics and specific controllers, might limit the broader accessibility and flexibility that modern gamers seek.

Despite his reservations about console gaming, Tascan confessed a fondness for certain consoles, notably praising Nintendo's Wii. With a background that includes stints at major studios such as EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, Tascan is no stranger to the world of console gaming. However, he believes that Netflix's gaming strategy should take a different path, one that aligns more closely with the evolving habits of its audience.

Netflix has already made strides in this direction by offering game adaptations tied to its IPs, such as "Stranger Things 3: The Game" and "Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game," alongside popular titles 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 friction in gaming experiences. Netflix plans to further this approach by developing party games and positioning itself as a hub for kids and gaming families.

Tascan stressed the importance of minimizing obstacles for gamers, 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 pointed out additional hurdles such as the need for multiple controllers for families, the cost of hardware, and the time it takes to download games, all of which he aims to address and reduce.

Netflix reported a tripling of games engagement in 2023, reaffirming its commitment to this sector despite early skepticism. A CNBC report from 2021 noted that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with Netflix's games offerings, but the company has since seen significant growth. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back some of its gaming ambitions by closing its AAA studio led by former developers of Overwatch, Halo, and God of War. Additionally, a Game Developer report highlighted recent cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

As Netflix aims to capture a market less interested in traditional consoles, major players like Sony and Microsoft are expected to release next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the brink of unveiling its Switch 2, with a dedicated Direct presentation set to reveal more about its features, release date, and pre-order details next week. This evolving landscape underscores the shifting dynamics within the gaming industry, where flexibility and accessibility are becoming increasingly crucial.