Netflix Says Kids Don't Care About Consoles: '8-Year-Olds Aren’t Dreaming of PlayStation 6'

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 advance with new hardware, Tascan shared his insights on evolving gaming preferences during an interview with The Game Business following a Netflix event in San Francisco.

When asked about Netflix's interest in console gaming, Tascan expressed doubts about the younger generation's enthusiasm for future consoles like the PlayStation 6. 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." Tascan emphasized a future where gaming is platform-agnostic, with young gamers engaging with any digital screen, including those in cars. He believes that traditional console models, focused on high definition and specific controllers, might limit Netflix's approach.

Despite his fondness for console gaming, particularly reminiscing about the Nintendo Wii, Tascan's experience at studios like EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games informs his perspective. However, Netflix's strategy is veering towards mobile gaming, as seen with titles like Stranger Things 3: The Game, Too Hot to Handle: Love Is a Game, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, all playable directly on mobile devices.

Netflix says kids don't care about consoles. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Tascan is focused on reducing barriers to gaming, including subscription models, which he considers a form of "good friction" beneficial to business. He mentioned Netflix's experiment with removing the subscription requirement for Squid Game: Unleashed, hinting at potential future tests. Other frictions he aims to address include the need for multiple controllers, the cost of hardware, and the time spent waiting for game downloads.

Netflix's commitment to gaming has shown growth, with engagement tripling in 2023. However, the company has also faced setbacks, including the closure of its AAA studio in October 2024 and recent cuts at Night School Studio, acquired in 2021.

While Netflix moves towards a console-less future, major players like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo continue to innovate. Sony and Microsoft are expected to release the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox, respectively. Nintendo is on the brink of unveiling the Switch 2 at a forthcoming Direct presentation, where fans eagerly await details on its features, release date, and pre-order information.