In a recent interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix, shared insights into the future of gaming and how the younger generation might interact with their favorite titles. Tascan questioned whether today's eight and ten-year-olds are even dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6, suggesting a shift away from traditional gaming consoles. 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 Netflix's vision of a future where gaming platforms are agnostic, moving away from the constraints of high-definition graphics and traditional controllers. Despite his personal fondness for console gaming—citing Nintendo's Wii as a favorite—his experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games has not swayed Netflix's direction towards more traditional console game releases.
Netflix has been experimenting with game adaptations and offering popular titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, which can be played directly on mobile devices. Tascan reiterated Netflix's commitment to this mobile strategy, aiming to develop party games and position itself as a hub for kids and gamer families. He expressed a strong desire to reduce friction for gamers, mentioning the removal of subscription barriers for games like Squid Game: Unleashed as part of ongoing tests.
Tascan also highlighted other forms of friction in gaming, such as the need for multiple controllers for family play, the expense of hardware, and the wait time for game downloads. He is focused on eliminating these obstacles to enhance the gaming experience.
Netflix's engagement with gaming has seen significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023. Despite this, the company scaled back some of its gaming ambitions in 2024, including the closure of its AAA studio and cuts at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
While Netflix anticipates a future where gaming consoles are less relevant, major players like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo continue to innovate. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, respectively. Nintendo is on the verge of unveiling its Switch 2 at a dedicated Direct presentation next week, where details on features, release date, and pre-order information are eagerly awaited.
