Hero of Hyrule
Frieren the Slayer
- Pronouns
- He/Him
A number of independent developers I spoke to felt that Nintendo could easily wait until 2025 before introducing a new system, or perhaps even longer. While some of their reasons differed, many suggested that the Switch’s large install base made it ideal for smaller studios with limited resources for console development, with few hardware-related drawbacks for those making games that aren’t necessarily pushing technological boundaries. One anonymous developer who has recently released a game on the Switch suggested they’d even be content to wait until PlayStation and Microsoft released new consoles to see a new Nintendo console, given that the technological gap “isn’t getting any bigger” until then.
In fact, there was a noticeable divide in the opinions of the developers I chatted with. Those who felt Nintendo could wait longer were largely working on very small projects, generally in 2D or without especially complex technical needs. Developers of larger, better-established, or more visually and technically complex projects were more eager for a Switch successor in the near future. Jonathan B. Jørgensen of Triple Topping Games praised the Switch’s utility for both players and developers, but admitted it was starting to lag behind, even for indie studios.
Like the developers I spoke to, analysts similarly had a mix of thoughts about whether or not a Switch successor was a necessity for Nintendo, though they put the question into financial terms rather than technical ones.
Circana executive director and analysts Mat Piscatella pointed to Circana’s forecast, which has a new Nintendo hardware platform releasing in 2024. But will that actuallyhappen? Piscatella isn’t entirely sure, for the sole reason that Nintendo loves to be unpredictable.
The full article is here and worth reading, even if there is no actual consensus on the topic.
My personal opinion (and one that I know is something a good many people will disagree with) is that we are past the point of absurdity. Put out new Switch hardware by late 2024 at the latest, I am begging you.