Third Party Deals to Prove the Support Isn’t Just for Show
Do you remember when the Wii U was revealed and launched? It too had a strong third-party corner with some of the biggest developers and publishers ready to port over blockbuster titles as well as develop some brand new software for the console. Yet, just a few months after the release of the eighth generation console, it all fizzled out. Now, the offerings have been paltry with owners waiting extensive periods of time for the next big game while the PCs, Xbox Ones, and PS4s enjoy a steady stream of releases. EA, Activision, Warner Brothers, and more didn’t bother taking their blockbusters and placing them on the struggling platform. Instead, they opted to bring over their more kid-friendly games, while leaving the money-makers on more profitable hardware.
Again we see a strong stable of support for the Switch, but there needs to be more than just a statement. If Nintendo wants to win they’ll need more than just given support. They’re going to have to make some deals just like their competition has been doing with the biggest names in the industry.
2K and Bethesda have thrown their names into the hat, but details on what they’ll provide have been mum. While it’s clear that neither will put their biggest upcoming games exclusively on the Switch, they have plenty of talent that can certainly provide experiences unique to the console. There’s also Ubisoft who proved to be one of the few that stood behind Nintendo throughout the Wii U’s life (even if they did have to switch certain exclusives to multi-platform). Having the next Assassin’s Creed on the platform with some exclusive content (because chances are the publisher won’t just give them the whole game), or even a new Rayman with timed exclusivity can help bolster whatever lineup they have planned. As long as we see that they aren’t just naming names to make the upcoming box look good, Nintendo will be putting itself in a great position.
