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2017, overwatch

Blizzard Implies the Switch Isn’t Powerful Enough to Run Overwatch

Blizzard would have to "revisit performance" to make it happen.
This article is over 7 years old and may contain outdated information

The Nintendo Switch is off to a fast start, but Nintendo’s biggest problem with the Switch appears to be one that’s plagued it since the Nintendo 64: a lack of third-party support. One title in particular that could go a long way toward filling out the Switch library is competitive shooter Overwatch, but developer Blizzard has indicated that’s unlikely to happen.

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Last month, Overwatch Director Jeff Kaplan wrote on Reddit that despite his “love” for the Switch, getting Overwatch on the Nintendo console would be a major challenge. Speaking with the UK’s Express, Kaplan has now implied that the biggest thing standing in the way of the port is the Switch’s lack of computing power compared to the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and modern PCs.

“I think the problem is, we’ve really targeted our [minimum] spec in a way that we would have to revisit performance and how to get on that platform,” he said.

Additionally, Kaplan stated that Blizzard, a studio that’s part of the world’s largest third-party publisher in Activision, would have troubles managing four versions of Overwatch. Apparently patching the game on a fourth platform would be burdensome for even a company of Blizzard’s size.

The reason Overwatch updates tend to arrive on PC before console is that Blizzard has to work with Sony and Microsoft on compliance issues for their individual consoles, Kaplan explained. “Adding a third ecosystem to that just adds a lot of complexity for us, as well.”

Still, Kaplan says Blizzard remains “open-minded” in regards to platforms and stated that he’s not completely ruling out any platform just because Overwatch isn’t currently on it.

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Image of Nick Santangelo
Nick Santangelo
Nick has been a gamer since the 8-bit days and has been reporting on the games industry since 2011. Don't interrupt him while he's questing through an RPG or desperately clinging to hope against all reason that his Philly sports teams will win something.