The Nintendo Switch Needs to be More Than Just an Indie Machine to Thrive

It’s no secret that the Nintendo Switch is already off to a great start, but for the console to be the go to “indie machine” would be a waste.

[Imp0ssibl3]

They should have made it more powerful, then. It can't be anything other than an indie machine for third parties since those who work on PC/PS4/XB1 would have to completely restructure their games to make them run on the Switch.

[Damd_Bowsr]

3rd parties don't have to "restructure" games to play on Switch. 3rd parties will need to "scale" back most of their games to run on Switch. I think a Big misconception is that all 3rd party devs look to max out a console when they develop a game which is far from truth. 3rd parties just simply need the "will" to want to put their games on the Switch. If Madden, COD and MK can run on tablets and cellphones, they can certainly run on the Switch.

If Nintendo really commits to putting out all their IPs out on the Switch, backed by key Japenese 3rd parties and get a couple major Western devs (2-3) a couple major UK devs (2-3) to show strong support, a large Ndie library will work wonders and Switch will do very well.

[CrimsonWing69]

Actually I think what he meant is they need to made from the ground up similar to Wii games that were on other platforms. The architecture doesn't allow for a straight port.

[MVGeneral]

Yeah it's not as simple as a downgrade. Especially when it's generations apart. Look at any pc games. They have a "minimum system requirement" the switch doesn't stand up to the minimum so they have to be reworked. Games like Madden, fifa and mk are all made from the ground up for the mobile platforms. They have separate teams working on it. So your going to see a lot of mobile games get ported over to the switch but you won't see 3rd party triple A's any time soon.

[Damd_Bowsr]

3rd parties don't support Switch more because of business relations than tech. Nintendo were real dicks when they were top dog. Watch the bridges you burn....

[Nu]

I saw the direct and it's looking like Switch is already getting decent support with indis. Will have to wait and see what 3rd party support looks like

[Einhander1971]

Switch is fine, the only misery is trolls like you. Who haven't got a clue.

[CrimsonWing69]

It's need to be more than just the Switch to survive.

[Father__Merrin]

I really don't think this will do well well have to wait and see

[TekoIie]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I think that the Switch will basically be a Vita.

The system will primarily be about JP games, Indies and Nintendo 1st party.

[Summons75]

As opposed to the Vita which is only kept alive because it thrives off being an indie machine?

[Protagonist]

Really? only indies?

Lol the switch is already done... that direct sucked balls, no games.

[Toiletsteak]

Most likely saving them for E3, they did say the direct was mainly focused on ARMS and Splatoon 2.

[Bronxs15]

Just finished watching yesterdays direct and wow are Nintendo just lazy or what? In a world where devs are making games for PC , xbox, and playstation, ios and android. and not just making games, making complex game with complex engines, things dynamic scaling resolutions, hdr, engine scalability where games scales to the system hardware. Why can’t Nintendo get it together and make games that will run across wii u / 3ds and now switch? Like honestly that new 2d pikmin game shouldn’t only be on 3ds, what’s stopping in from being on wii u / switch? Obviously wii u is dead now, but I don’t just mean right now, why didn’t’ they do this from before when wii u was their active system? Like why wasn’t there a hd version of new leaf on wii u? When wii u was on life support with nothing to play for months why didn’t Nintendo port some of all those kriby games on 3ds for example. Nintendo seems hopeless sometimes!

Omg Nintendo. Are there any Canadians here? All I can say is the look and presentation of ARMS makes me feel like I’m looking at TREEHOUSE (Canadian preschool channel with such shows as Dora and Max and Ruby) “MINMIN! Minmin is one spicy noodle fighter” wow. Who is there target audience right now? “beat the sauce out of your rivals, anyone else getting hungry? Sorry I lost my self there” wowwwwwwwww those are quotes from the presentation.

Mario kart deluxe.. sad how they are highlighting multiplayer options like a private game with friends.. things new to them but have been standard for years on other platforms.

Sonic forces looked decent though.

Way to build hype for your new system Nintendo. Nothing to generate buzz like a new monopoly game. I’m interested to see the sales boost the new monopoly game will bring to switch. Plus a new rayman legends. What a oxymoron that is.. “new” “rayman legends”

[Bronxs15]

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[Damd_Bowsr]

The only problem I see with what your saying is that you fail to mention that while ll these games some with all these advanced specs, the majority of them are disappointing and fail. There are a few gems here and there, but the really look at we have been getting this gen, alot of misses, few hits. The Switch is in its infancy although you look at games like MK as ports, its still a beloved franchise that alot of people did not get to play becasue the Wii U failed. I have a question, did you buy MK8 on the Wii U? I did, If you didn't then you have nothing to say. I bought an X1 last summer and the majority of the games I have bought for it are old (GTA5) or ports (Halo MC Collection)... So whats your point?

[Bronxs15]

@damad_bowser
good points. i think arguments can be made either way, i see what you saying about a lot of disappointments this gen,i'm thinking of high profile tittles that were hyped and didn't really deliver. i don't know if they were really bad or just people held really high expectations (such as the case with mass effect Andromeda) and things like Star fox (wii u) recore and the order that were heavily highlighted during press conferences largely fell flat. However on the flip side you have people saying it's a great time to be a gamer with abundant great games. mario kart 8, forza horizon 3, uncharted 4, breath of the wild and third party have been good to from early in the gen shadow of mordor and recently things like witcher 3.

Your point about switch being in it's infancy is well taken. i never did play halo 2, and 3, so when i got an xbox one it was great playing master chief collection, so i see your point about bringing over mario kart 8 on switch for ppl that didn't get a wii u or played it. however i think there was obviously more 3rd party support around xbox one's launch. i think they did a better job generating excitement around their platform than nintendo does. i don't know if thats a function of the bad 3rd party support nintendo gets.

microsoft started the gen with exclusive new ip from good developers titan fall. sunset overdrive - from prominent previously sony focused developers, as well as ryse a graphical showcase which is always nice to see when new hardward drops to show what you can look forward to by making the jump to next gen. that right there was 3 new IPs. they also showed new functionality with thinks that could of had potential not so much the media phocus but being able to snap say youtube or internet exploring to the side of the screen where you could stream a video guide/walk-through of a game and play your game on the other side of the screen. as well the the other game focused features saving game clips screen shots. nintendo attempted some things with wii u and miiverse, but so far switch isn't doing much.

i also think nintendo is falling behind the competition in terms of providing value to gamers. sony carried over some first part psn game if you bought flower say on ps3 you got the ps4 version for free. that's a crumb next to what ms did with backward compatibility. both sony and microsofts online services offer free games again ms does better with games with gold letting you keep 360 indefinitely. switch is charging for online now but no such benefits.

as well when nintendo ports over mk8 for example there are some new modes to the game the value can't be comparted to microsofts porting over of halo games in a new game master chiefe collection. aside from actually overhauling the graphics and cgi cut scenes for halo 2 there is just crazy value in it actually being 4 full halo games that were previously sold as individual tittles. finally not to mention pushing options and choices for gamers there is value to be had in things like EA ACCESS.

finally i did buy mk8 upon release and it's DLC later on. you can pm me your info and maybe we can add each other and play soemtime. it's fun. my criticisms of nintendo are because of what they are bringing to the table, i find it very unexciting. it maybe i'm just not the target audience any more but ARMS really does nothing for me. and to put it into contrast imagine if one month after launch of xbox one Microsoft was doing a sizzle reel with MONOPOLY. how every unexciting!

anyways thanks for your reply, your good points raised and honest dialog.

[MilkMan]

I've been saying this since they showed all the "backers" for this thing. I got roasted then...so far I haven't seen much of anything when it comes to third party support. Just Payday 2 which is how old now? is it a straight port? cause if it is it will arrive DOA.

[mr_grimm]

If all of the major indies comes to the switch, I'm not complaining. With the likes of hollow knight, which can last you up to 30 hours, theres no shortage of games that will last you well into nintendos own releases.