Nintendo Switch 2’s Game-Key Cards: Ubisoft Developer Explains the Choice for Star Wars Outlaws
The release of Star Wars Outlaws on the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked discussions due to its use of a Game-Key Card instead of a traditional physical cartridge. Ubisoft’s Rob Bantin, audio architect for the Snowdrop engine, clarified that this decision was driven by performance considerations rather than cost-saving measures.
The Need for Game-Key Cards
Bantin explained that the Snowdrop engine relies heavily on disk streaming for its open-world environments. The standard Switch 2 cartridges did not provide the necessary performance to meet the game’s quality targets. He emphasized that cost was never a factor in the decision-making process. The game was initially developed for platforms with faster SSDs, and the Switch 2’s hardware was introduced later in the development cycle. Had the game been designed specifically for the Switch 2 from the outset, a different storage format might have been considered.
Impact on the Gaming Community
The use of Game-Key Cards has been met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. While some appreciate the improved performance, others express concerns about game preservation and the loss of physical media collectibility. Nintendo has acknowledged these concerns and is exploring ways to balance performance needs with consumer preferences.
