The release of Star Wars Outlaws on the Switch 2 Game-Key Card was influenced by performance considerations rather than expense

Last week, "Star Wars Outlaws" was revealed for the Nintendo Switch 2. Ubisoft opted not for a traditional physical cartridge but a Game-Key Card for this release.

This card doesn't hold any data itself; it provides a digital license. Once purchased, the complete game must be downloaded directly onto the console's internal storage for gameplay.

The use of a Game-Key Card sparked debate on social media. John Linnerman from Digital Foundry speculated whether the change was due to the cost associated with manufacturing the 64GB cartridges for the Switch 2.

Addressing these speculations, Rob Bantin, an audio architect at Ubisoft, explained that the decision was tied to performance issues. The Switch 2 cards couldn't deliver the necessary performance for the Snowdrop engine used in developing "Outlaws."

Bantin stated, "Snowdrop is heavily dependent on disk streaming for its expansive environments, and the Switch 2 cards didn't meet our required performance and quality standards," adding that cost was never really a factor.

He further commented that if the game had been designed specifically for the Switch 2, the situation might have been different. Initially developed for other platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the Switch 2 release came after these versions were already established.

Introducing Game-Key Cards has been a source of contention due to concerns about game preservation. Critics fear dependence on server support, as games might be unplayable if these servers are shut down as happened with previous Nintendo systems like the Wii U and 3DS.

Further discussion on the impact of Game-Key Cards on game preservation can be found here.