Netflix: Kids Uninterested in Consoles, Dream Beyond PlayStation 6

Netflix’s President of Games, Alain Tascan, envisions a future where gaming becomes less dependent on traditional consoles. As tech giants like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to develop next-gen hardware, Tascan suggests that the younger generation may not be as invested in owning dedicated gaming systems like a PlayStation 6 or Xbox Series X successor.

During an interview with *The Game Business* after a Netflix presentation in San Francisco, Tascan shared insights into how today’s youth might shape the future of interactive entertainment. When asked whether Netflix had plans to enter the console market, he responded with doubt about whether children are even dreaming of owning the next major home console.

“Look at the younger generation. Are eight-year-olds and ten-year-olds dreaming of owning a PlayStation 6? I am not sure,” Tascan said. “They are wanting to interact with any digital screen, 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.”

Tascan emphasized the importance of platform-agnostic experiences, noting that the future of gaming lies in accessibility across all devices. While he expressed appreciation for traditional console gaming—citing Nintendo’s Wii as a personal favorite—he believes the industry needs to evolve beyond legacy models. His background in major studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games gives him a deep understanding of the traditional gaming space, yet his vision for Netflix is clearly shifting toward seamless, accessible play.

Netflix has already made strides in mobile-first game development and cloud-based access through its subscription service. Titles such as *Stranger Things 3: The Game*, *Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game*, and *Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition* are playable directly from a smartphone. As part of its strategy, Netflix aims to become a central hub for casual and family-friendly games, including party-style titles tailored for multi-player experiences.

Tascan explained that removing friction is a key priority for Netflix’s gaming ambitions:

“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 *Squid Game: Unleashed*. And we may do other tests.”

“But the other friction is having enough controllers for the 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’m looking at all the obstacles and asking if we can reduce them as much as possible.”

Despite early struggles, Netflix reported in early 2024 that user engagement with its gaming offerings had tripled throughout 2023—a sign that its investment in the space is beginning to pay off. This growth follows a 2021 CNBC report that found less than 1% of subscribers were using Netflix Games at the time. However, the company scaled back some of its more ambitious plans in late 2024, shuttering its internal AAA studio composed of veterans from *Overwatch*, *Halo*, and *God of War*. A recent *Game Developer* report also revealed layoffs at Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021.

While Netflix continues to pivot toward a console-free future, there’s no doubt that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo remain committed to their own next-generation platforms. Nintendo is expected to unveil details about its upcoming Switch 2 during an upcoming Direct presentation, fueling anticipation around its features, release window, and pre-order availability.