(Image credit: Future)
Netflix has been making waves in the gaming world by investing heavily in the industry, purchasing studios, and loading its streaming service with a selection of interactive titles. Reports have surfaced that it recently shut down an AAA game studio, which boasted talent from God of War, Overwatch, Halo, and Gears of War.
At a recent talk during the Game Developers Conference, attended by GamesRadar+, Netflix’s gaming head Alain Tascan shared insights on the industry’s evolution and questioned whether today’s youth are truly excited about a future PlayStation 6.
When queried about Netflix’s interest in creating console games, Tascan expressed that the company remains “open to opportunities” but questioned whether there’s a significant “advantage” to developing for console platforms. He posed a thought-provoking question, stating, “The person you should ask is not me. Look at the younger generation. Are the eight-year-olds and ten-year-olds dreaming of a PlayStation 6?” He continued, “I’m not sure. They are eager to engage with any interactive digital screen, wherever it may be, even in the car.”
Tascan emphasized his appreciation for consoles, noting, “I love console,” but highlighted that the platforms could limit thinking. “When you think console, you think of high-def, you think of controller,” Tascan explained. He cited significant industry shifts like 3D graphics, mobile platforms, social gaming, and the rise of games as a service, suggesting these elements reveal how “it changes.” Tascan concluded, “If we adhere to this older model, I think it will restrain us. I’m not wanting to quote Marshall McLuhan saying ‘the medium is the content,’ but for us, it can be. If we start opening our mind, I believe this is where it’s going to be interesting.”
News followed the shutdown of its AAA game studio, previously packed with talent from God of War and Overwatch, as Netflix unveils a “new initiative” driven by AI technology.
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