Bethesda unsure if Switch powerful enough to run Prey

When asked in an interview whether the Switch would be powerful enough to run Prey, Bethesda was vague at best.

[brich233]

at 720p maybe?

[UltraNova]

Of course it is, on low settings 720p 30fps...is that acceptable for 2017?

Problem is Bethesda the only publisher who has this opinion? Are we looking at the next Wii and Wii U in terms of 3rd party support, or the lack thereof, all over again?

Edit: @neonridr

On handheld mode yes, what about when you hook it up on the TV as in console mode?

[Neonridr]

a game like Prey or Doom running at 720p/30fps on a handheld? Sure that's acceptable, since no handheld has been able to deliver visuals with console quality titles anywhere close to that. Vita was 540p and people talked about how gorgeous that thing looked.

[KingAlistair]

For 2017,4k 60fps high-ultra settings/smaa or 5k/60 fps downsampled/medium settings/high textures/no aa.

[Deeke]

That's an interesting point...what if some games can only be played in handheld mode? I doubt Nintendo would allow that as it'd fly in the face of the console itself, but...if they can't run in handheld mode properly, then the games likely just won't release on the system.

That being said, I still have a lot of faith in the Switch's scaling, and I think it'll handle games very well, especially if it uses a Pascal Tegra instead of the Maxwell Tegra that everyone thinks it'll pack.

[PhoenixUp]

That doesn't sound good for Switch. I was led to believe it has hardware on parity with the base model PS4 & XO

[yeahokwhatever]

Not even close..the tech required to do that doesn't exist.

[xwabbit]

It probably exist but it ain't gonna be affordable LOL

[ElectricFeel]

Led to believe by what? Your own lack of research?

[OhMyGandhi]

He led himself to believe.

[FallenAngel1984]

Even if Bethesda did ensure Prey could run on Switch, the game would still be either buggy and/or broken because well...Bethesda

[DefenderOfDoom2]

ARKANE STUDIOS is the developer of PREY 2 , BETHESDA is the publisher.

[SlappingOysters]

If it can run, it will burn that Switch controller's battery out in 15 minutes

[yeahokwhatever]

Exactly. People don't understand. There is no real such thing as best of both worlds. You can't have slim form factor + battery + high end performance at the same time. The battery/chip tech isn't there yet, or else they'd be in other devices already.

[yeahokwhatever]

Depending on pricing, Switch can replace the 3DS as their main handheld system. It just has the added bonus of being able to plug into your TV as well.

[Neonridr]

I am sure this has everything to do with studios unsure of how successful the system will be. If the thing is comparable to an XB1 in terms of specs then no reason why it can't run it. Plus a straight up port should be very minimal cost wise.

[time2die]

Was always hopeful Nintendo would go down the power route and compete with the likes of Sony and Microsoft,but again they have chosen the Gimmick Route,if it fails like the Nintendo Wii U then i fear Nintendo may become another Sega.

[Neonridr]

it's a gimmick to be both a handheld and a home console? I would think that is more revolutionary than anything anyone else is bringing to the table.

[Lon3wolf]

I was hoping the same especially when Reggie said they had listened to fans, it appears not imo but I still hold out hope for it.

[ocelot07]

If you mean by another Sega you mean becoming a software only company. I would be fine with that. They can then release their games on any platform they want giving them even more sales.

[yeahokwhatever]

Its nowhere near XB1 in real-world capabilities. At least in battery mode. That'd be impossible.

[MecheSlays]

its not impossible but unlikely

[ShadowWolf712]

Eh, not so simple as you think. Porting to a system with completely different architecture is a bit more effort than just a few lines of new code.

[Activemessiah]

Oh for goodness sakes, they are not allowed to talk about it hence the vague comments... wait til the NDA is lifted.

[Stevonidas]

Warrantless Nintendo bullying is N4G's most favorite pastime, don't you know?

[joab777]

Having read the GI story about Prey, I am sold. It has a Dead Space/Bioshock feel to it. I like the story, setting and the originality. The idea of being able to create nodes on demand, with a risk attached is great. Just hope it isn't too easy. The side quest seems cool also. Very excited!!!

[TheColbertinator]

Doom,Prey 2,Dishonored 2 and Fallout 4 need to find a home on Switch. Its up to Nintendo how they will do this.

[Derceto]

lol Wow. Nintendo once again being the little kid on the block. The more things change......

[filchron]

The more they Swiitch, the more Wiik people will realize it is..

[vergilxx3]

meh not my cup of tea anyway , but it would be amazing to have the witcher 3 on it
though it's impossible for many reasons

[CrimsonWing69]

Dude how is this shocking to anyone? The Wii did this, the Wii U did this, and now the Switch is the same underpowered console Nintendo seems to puke out with every new console they come out with. For once I'd like to see them as they were when the SNES was out. Like legit competing with the competition without trying for some whacked out proprietary media format or some tacked on redonkulous gimmick.

But no, we get a portable that will play last gen stuff or diluted versions of current gen games. Seems like a winner to me.

[DanteVFenris666]

Still has great games. No need to worry about power. Most Nintendo games focus on style rather than polygons anyhow

[Tussin187]

And you had to wait an entire generation for a new Zelda game. Oh wait it's not going to come out until the Switch releases. Nintendo needs 3rd party because they take so long to develop their 1st party games. And people always talk about Sony delaying games. O_o

[cellfluid]

1080p is the standard and thats slowly vanishing as 4k is on the horizon.so 720p is ps3 era aka error.nintendo must still think this is a vhf/uhf or something lol

[KingAlistair]

1440p has been the standard since early 2013.51 out of 65 pc gamers i know,me included,run 4k/60 fps ulta+reshade or 5k downsampled,medium-high settings+GemFx.

[cellfluid]

This is about consoles not pc you are in the wrong lobby buddy lol

[KingAlistair]

@cellfluid You are right.You are still in the stone age.

@G20WLY What???Its msaa,and 18,5 tflops overclocked.My software engineer job,my friends and girlfriend keep me occupied.Also,no beard.Are you an adult,i don't think so...Just keep doing what is that you do...So all the millions of pc gamers and programmers have no social life and sex because their pc is faster than a 400$ cheap plastic box???Ok....LOL.

[G20WLY]

Well yeah, but I don’t want the prerequisite 16 teraflop neckbeard and 4 x MRSA pit stains, because while I like gaming, I also like socialising and sex. And social sex. As opposed to sol...well, you get where I'm going with that! ;^)

EDIT: "What???Its msaa,and 18,5 tflops overclocked" <--- see? This is what I'm talking about. I was joking, bud, but you missed it. If you socialised more you'd gather these skills. And no, all PC gamers aren't like you. They don't feel the need to brag about their specs and act like an ass. Some people don't take gaming quite as seriously as you do. They’re not poor, casual or uneducated in the benefits of a top end PC, they’re just different. Okay?...LOL

[jessaroony]

Click bait, read the article to find out nothing Bethesda is a publisher and developer. The best they can do is release 1 game at a time to determine if porting Prey is worth it. development cost money and thats why they say its too early to find out.

[Exvalos]

Wii u or I'm sorry the switch, is weaker then 3 year old systems. It will run some of the next games, shit like dark souls, but highly demanding games like witcher 3, noooo it's not happening

[Tctczach]

I just don't understand why they don't make a console and a handheld. It's so simple but they need their gimmick. So annoying.

[filchron]

Right? They could have had a Mario game with This kind of fidelity on a dedicated home console: http://www.hanging-waters.c... but Noooooooo. Nintendo's business strategy:
>Make Kiddy looking games and give only kiddy artstyles to their best franchises
>No sales among the hardcore gamers who made them who they are
>Youmastaundastand
>Repeat

[Profchaos]

I'd expect it to be extremely weak compared to the other versions but it's a maybe. Although I'm not sure if I'd prefer no games over a barely functional one.

As long as the first party line up is strong and releases more frequently than the wii u had I'm keen

[IceKoldKilla]

What a disappointment. Not getting this console. I wanted a all in one console but it's not happening. Again with the gimmicks. They showed us multiple people playing on that tiny phone screen... multiplayer! SPLIT-SCREEN! Such a gimmick that no one will use after they see it's stupid. It's weak, gimmicky and probably not gonna get much third party support again. I know I'll get dislikes which I don't care. Just wanted to voice my opinion that happens to piss off Nintendo fanboys.

[kraenk12]

You were delusional and probably never intended to buy it anyway, so...

[Calither]

Maybe they're just not sure they'll be able to release the game. Again.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

so long, 3rd party support.... again.

[I3loggs24]

You mean Bethesda unsure if they can successfully port what is most likely a buggy mess of a game to the Switch.

[ABizzel1]

Bethesda is only the publisher Arkane Studios is developing the game, the same team that made Dishonored.

[I3loggs24]

My point still stands, take a look at the pc port of Dishonored 2.These publishers/developers whatever are getting lazy as fuck.

[TC731]

If Nintendo would cut out the terrible gimmicks and put out a no-frills power console, maybe more third parties would adapt to it.

Or they could just go the way of Sega. That'd be great.

[GoldenElf]

Uh, the article says nothing of the sort.

[Deeke]

Where's the actual source? You link to an article from August 2016 that doesn't even contain the quote from Ricardo Bare talking about the Nintendo Switch.

They don't even say that the person they're quoting is Arkane's Ricardo Bare. I had to Google that.

Pretty sloppy reporting here!

[Mikerob2007]

i think nintendo should do what sega did, quit making consoles and make their games for multi platforms,

[kraenk12]

The unjustified hate for the Switch is ridiculous.. .and you call yourself gamers?! Pitiful you are. At least wait until the system released.

[time2die]

We need Nintendo I'm not knocking them,Nintendo introduced me to Gaming and when they make First party games they are generally amazing, sadly they are not frequent enough, i will invest in Nintendo when the Switch releases i just wish they bought out a Kick arse Power station type console instead of tech thats generally years old and not even on par with the Playstation 4 that is 3 years old.

It generally wont matter if they give us brilliant game and retain 3rd party support, whats worrying is the fact that rumours [Yes Just Rumours] Suggest the New Zelda game wont be releasing along with the Switch in March,for me this is one of the only reasons I'm interested because Zelda to me is Gaming at its very best so they better come up with some release games that are mind blowing.

Anybody remember when the N64 Launched with just a mere 4 games,One of them being Turok at a whopping £64.99.

Mind you we did at the time have Mario 64 which was just exceptional.