Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where gaming is less dependent on traditional consoles, as major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to develop new hardware. During an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan shared his insights on the evolving preferences of gaming enthusiasts, particularly the younger demographic.
When asked about Netflix's potential interest in entering the console gaming market, Tascan expressed skepticism about the appeal of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 to younger gamers. 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 that the traditional console model, with its focus on high definition and controllers, might limit the broader reach of gaming.
Despite his fondness for console gaming, particularly Nintendo's Wii, Tascan's experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games has shaped his perspective on the industry. For Netflix, the trend is shifting towards a more accessible, platform-agnostic approach to gaming.
Netflix has successfully ventured into game adaptations for its IPs, offering titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game as subscription add-ons. Additionally, the company has made notable games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition available for mobile play, aligning with Tascan's vision of reducing barriers to gaming. He emphasized the importance of lowering friction, 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."
Tascan also highlighted other forms of friction, such as the need for multiple controllers for family gaming, the cost of hardware, and the wait times for game downloads. He is committed to exploring ways to minimize these obstacles, 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's engagement with gaming has seen significant growth, with game engagement tripling in 2023. Despite early reports from CNBC in 2021 indicating less than 1% of subscribers were using the gaming offerings, the company remains committed to this sector. However, in October 2024, Netflix scaled back its ambitions by shutting down its AAA studio and making cuts at Night School Studio, which it acquired in 2021.
As Netflix aims to cater to a market increasingly indifferent to game consoles, the industry continues to evolve. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release new consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, while Nintendo is set to unveil its Switch 2 in a focused Direct presentation next week. Fans eagerly await details on features, release dates, and pre-order information for the Switch 2.
