Kids Don’t Care About Consoles Anymore

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Summary

  • Kids may not care about future game consoles, preferring accessible gaming on various screens.
  • Netflix is interested in minimizing gaming friction by making the process easier.
  • Adults may be more interested in consoles than kids; opportunity exists for both screen-based and dedicated hardware gaming.

In a notable statement, Netflix’s Head of Games, Alain Tascan, hinted at children showing less enthusiasm for the upcoming generation of video game consoles. His intriguing viewpoint coincides with him expressing admiration for the Nintendo Wii.

The competition between different video game consoles has been ongoing since multiple options became available for purchase. Factors like exclusive games, graphical power, and portability have traditionally influenced console choice. However, as technology advances, gaming experiences are becoming increasingly accessible without the need to own a console. For those who have grown up with games on numerous devices, consoles may no longer hold significant importance.

According to Netflix’s President of Games, Alain Tascan, during an interview with The Game Business, there’s a possibility that Netflix might venture into creating games similar to consoles. Tascan hinted at this by saying that Netflix is exploring the future of gaming in a platform-agnostic manner, suggesting they are not bound to any specific gaming platform. He further expressed his belief that the younger generation may not be as interested in new gaming consoles like the PlayStation 6, implying that children today might prefer interacting with digital screens regardless of their location. Tascan considers the traditional console gaming model as potentially limiting in this context.

Reducing the Friction of Gaming

Moreover, Tascan expressed his desire to minimize obstacles in the gaming experience at Netflix. By obstacles, he means elements like downloading large files, using multiple controllers, or any factors that might hinder or delay gameplay. Interestingly, he also views subscriptions as a form of obstacle and mentioned that Netflix experimented with offering their mobile title Squid Game: Unleashed without the need for a subscription.

It might be accurate to assume that younger gamers aren’t overly concerned with the latest gaming consoles. In the past, gaming was confined to consoles and powerful PCs, but nowadays, even devices with screens and internet connectivity can run simple games. However, this doesn’t imply that console sales have plummeted. For instance, the PlayStation 5 has surpassed the original NES in sales, and the Nintendo Switch has eclipsed the popularity of the PlayStation 2 in the U.S., a title previously held by the best-selling console ever in the country. It’s plausible that adults are more drawn to consoles currently than children, but there’s still a market for both casual “any screen” games and those that demand specialized hardware.

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2025-03-29 02:44