The Absence of Indie Games on Switch 2

Gareth Damian Martin, a renowned indie developer, expressed his desire to have Citizen Sleeper 2 available on Switch 2 at launch, but unfortunately, that was not possible. This sentiment is shared by many other indie developers who were not invited to develop games for the new console. Currently, the list of titles for Switch 2 is dominated by a few lucky indie games, including Deltarune and No Man's Sky. According to Tony Gowland, founder of Ant Workshop, the slow release of indie games on Switch 2 is typical for any new console launch. Development kits for the new machine are usually in short supply, and Nintendo is prioritizing titles that require the extra capabilities of Switch 2. The company is focusing on providing kits for games that do not have a version for the original Switch, at least that is the impression Gowland got when they inquired about Into the Restless Ruins. Although most Switch titles are compatible with Switch 2, developers without access to a Switch 2 dev kit have not been able to test compatibility before the console's launch. Chris Wright, founder of Fellow Traveller, expressed his desire to bring their games to Switch 2 on day one, but they do not currently have access to Switch 2 development kits. The company is eager to utilize features like mouse controls, which would benefit games like Citizen Sleeper. The good news for indie developers is that support for Switch 2 is already available for the two leading game engines, Unity and Unreal. Unity developed its first game in 20 years, Survival Kids, as a Switch 2 exclusive, and Unreal Engine 5 is fully supported on Switch 2. However, many indie developers and publishers are still waiting for their Switch 2 dev kits to arrive, and there is a concern about the potential slow rollout of dev kits and its impact on the games pipeline for Nintendo's console. Russell Kay, senior product manager at GameMaker, believes that Nintendo has done a great job with the new console, and the improved specs of Switch 2 will provide opportunities for indie developers. However, the company is still waiting for confirmation from Nintendo to unlock access to the Switch 2 menu for developers. The lack of communication and clarity from Nintendo regarding the availability of dev kits is a concern for many indie developers, and they hope that the company will provide more information and support in the near future. In conclusion, the absence of indie games on Switch 2 is a significant concern for the gaming industry. While some indie developers have been lucky enough to get their games on the console, many others are still waiting for their dev kits to arrive. The improved specs of Switch 2 and the support for leading game engines are positive developments, but the lack of communication and clarity from Nintendo is a major obstacle for indie developers. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is essential for Nintendo to provide more support and resources for indie developers to ensure the success of Switch 2.