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[adamsapple]

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Naoki Hamaguchi:

"Yes, I've heard the reactions of various Nintendo players to the Game Key Cards. I certainly understand their perspective. I can understand what might bother them, why they might not like them, and I really do. But among developers, the discussion about the format might be a little different than fans might expect.

Perhaps the biggest issue for developers is, certainly for people like us who are developing high-end HD games, is the loading speed, because if you compare that to an [SSD] drive and the speed you get from that when loading, it's inferior. So that's really the bigger problem when it comes to developing games, high-end games for the Switch 2, and what's possible with it.

This is just my personal opinion, but I would like it if Nintendo fans understood the key cards and perhaps accepted them as part of the gaming culture on the Switch because they offer more possibilities. It's an option that not everyone needs to use, but it's another way to make the games available to fans, and I think we could miss opportunities if we didn't have that option, because there might be people who wouldn't be able to play the game otherwise.

I really understand why people are negative about it, and there are good reasons and arguments for it. But if people are more accepting of it, I think there are also advantages, and from a developer's perspective, it allows us to do things we might not otherwise do."

Requiem's director Koshi Nakanishi:

One of the big topics at the moment around Switch 2 are the Game Key Cards. As a team making one of the most technically intense Switch 2 games, so far, is data streaming an issue when you're putting a game onto a card, as some other developers have suggested? Basically, are Game Key Cards a developer consideration, or a publishing one?

KN: It's not a development decision for us, it's more of a sales strategy decision.

 

[nial]

Is there any reason as to why Nintendo couldn't allow optional game installs like it was done on PS3?

 

[adamsapple]

Is there any reason as to why Nintendo couldn't allow optional game installs like it was done on PS3?

Insert obligatory "because it's Nintendo" response.

 

[Lokaum D+]

 

[DeafTourette]

I have no problem with a game key card. As long as the game loads quick, I'm good. Besides, I'm sure Nintendo will have faster carts later down the line.

 

[Wastelander92]

Really don't see the big fuss. Just got my first, downloaded the game and good to go. Not like you always have to be online or anything.

 

[Ozzie666]

All I got from that was 'Nintendo fans, please understand' $$$$.

 

[nial]

Insert obligatory "because it's Nintendo" response.

Genuinely run by monkeys, lmao.

 

[Bojji]

Is there any reason as to why Nintendo couldn't allow optional game installs like it was done on PS3?

That would solve all the problems but it's too radical idea.

Sony and developers solved "slow storage" problem in 2006. With what you can also have fully functional game without the need of any internet connection.

 

[nial]

That would solve all the problems but it's too radical idea.

Sony and developers solved "slow storage" problem in 2006. With what you can also have fully functional game without the need of any internet connection.

It's extremely hilarious that they somehow didn't think about this when even the current and better, 64GB-only Switch 2 cards are, seemingly, still not fast enough for some stuff like FF7R Intergrade and SW Outlaws.

 

[Ceadeus]

Yet I'm playing Cyberpunk 2077 from the cartridge...

 

[MagiusNecros]

Still don't understand why BDFF Remastered needed a Key Card.

 

[Robb]

The max size and data streaming issues are unfortunate, can't really blame devs for ditching the format in those cases.

Although I have a feeling that even if those two things were not an issue, the same devs who blame their decision on them would be going with a Game-key cart anyway and it'd just switch from being a "development decision" to being "more of a sales strategy decision".

 

[gpn]

Capcom, Square-Enix, I'd only consider buying a Game Key Card if it's super cheap. Please understand, it's just a sales strategy reason.

 

[blacktout]

The max size and data streaming issues are unfortunate, can't really blame devs for ditching the format in those cases.

Although I have a feeling that even if those two things were not an issue, the same devs who blame their decision on them would be going with a Game-key cart anyway and it'd just switch from being a "development decision" to being "more of a sales strategy decision".

This. The reality is that Switch 2 cartridges are vastly more expensive on a per unit basis than game key cards, and that's the actual motivating factor here.

It's why some publishers are opting to put the full game on the cart but at the cost of a $10 upcharge (like the MK Collection) and it's why no publishers are opting to use the cartridges as installation disks the way that current gen consoles use blurays (which also read too slowly vs. SSDs). And, on the upside, it's why some game key card games are being sold for less than full price (like FFVIIR).

It's not even a "greedy corporations" thing. The physical media itself is just ridiculously expensive compared to discs. It fucking sucks and hopefully when mass production kicks in the prices will come down, but right now I don't blame publishers for selling an older game for $40 on a game key card rather than selling it for $70 on a cartridge.

 

[nial]

and it's why no publishers are opting to use the cartridges as installation disks the way that current gen consoles use blurays (which also read too slowly vs. SSDs).

But that's because they literally can't. It's an OS-level feature that is not available on Nintendo consoles.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Sorry, but no... If you're paying full price, then they should put the entire game on the cartridge.

That's what happened with the color manuals and the posters or add-ons, which they removed.

 

[Gambit2483]

Unless the file size is larger than 64GB or "streaming issues", put it on a Physical card and charge ~$10 more

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Still don't understand why BDFF Remastered needed a Key Card.

I still don't understand.. Like PUYO PUYO, need a Keycard.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I'll be honest, Nintendo screwed up with Keycards... Okay, I'd accept them... If it weren't for the console's memory. Nintendo screwed up there too.

 

[awwr999999]

Gaming has 'evolved' wrong for decades and needs to be rethought.
Nintendo had instant gameplay across its platforms through N64 - instant load, instant respawn.
The fact that 20 years of technological advancements later Nintendo has massive load times is unacceptable.

 

[Goalus]

Game key cards are a reasonable means to convince players that digital downloads are becoming more and more relevant.