Nintendo hesitates to send dev kits for free-to-play Switch 2 games, according to UFL studio
Claims that Nintendo has been unusually strict about Switch 2 dev kit approvals continue to accumulate. The latest insight comes from Eugene Nashilov, the CEO of Strikerz Inc. His company develops the UFL football game, which is now available on PS5 and Xbox X|S, and will arrive on PC in November. Nashilov believes that potential free-to-play Switch 2 games, like UFL, are not a priority for Nintendo.
As Insider Gaming details, the Strikerz boss made the comments during a presentation to Football Gaming Zone. Nashilov wants to make a Switch 2 version, but “Nintendo is not very much actively giving development kits to free-to-play developers. That’s a global trend, and we’re a part of that”. The developers had made a request some time ago, but continue to wait for the essential tools.
Digital Foundry previously reported that other developers at Gamescom shared identical frustrations. Gamereactor then posted a similar story, confirming that there is no pattern in who is sent Switch 2 dev kits. Still, Nashilov's statements may remind gamers of Nintendo’s history, which has often been resistant to free-to-play games.
Nintendo's complicated history with free games
Nintendo’s first-party Switch 2 games use a traditional paid model. Super Kirby Clash was one exception for the previous gen console. Even so, in 2015, former Nintendo President Satoru Iwata voiced a reluctance to these types of projects. By contrast, Microsoft and Sony PlayStation have taken an interest in titles that rely on microtransactions for survival.
More recently, Nintendo has become more accepting of free games, like UFL. Fortnite and Apex Legends join other titles in this category, compatible with the Switch and Switch 2. eShop revisions have also made it easier to find games with no upfront costs. Nevertheless, when it comes to precious Switch 2 dev kits, free-to-play games could be in for a long wait.
