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 continue to innovate with new hardware, Tascan shared insights on evolving gaming preferences during an interview with The Game Business after a Netflix presentation in San Francisco. When questioned about Netflix entering the console market, Tascan expressed skepticism about the younger demographic's interest in devices 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 is platform-agnostic, noting that today's youth are more interested in interacting with any digital screen, whether at home or on the go. He suggested that the traditional console model, with its focus on high-definition graphics and specific controllers, might limit Netflix's broader gaming ambitions.

Despite his affection for console gaming—citing Nintendo's Wii as a personal favorite—Tascan's extensive experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games has not swayed Netflix away from its mobile-first approach. The company continues to adapt its IPs into games, such as Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and has also made popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available to subscribers directly on their mobile devices. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this 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." He views even subscriptions as a form of friction, albeit beneficial for business, and mentioned experiments like making Squid Game: Unleashed available without a subscription. He also highlighted other frictions 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's engagement with gaming has seen significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023, as reported in early 2024. This growth comes despite a CNBC report from 2021 indicating that less than 1% of subscribers were engaging with its games. However, 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 Game Developer report from last month noted cuts at Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

As Netflix targets a market less interested in traditional consoles, the future of gaming hardware from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo remains robust. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, while Nintendo is on the cusp of unveiling the Switch 2. Fans eagerly await next week's Direct presentation, where Nintendo will reveal more about the Switch 2's features, release date, and pre-order details.