Performance Issues, Not Costs, Led to Star Wars Outlaws' Game-Key Card Release on Switch 2

The recent launch of Star Wars Outlaws on the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked debate due to its release on a Game-Key Card rather than a physical cartridge. This decision means that players must download the full game to their console's internal storage, as the card only contains a digital license. The choice to use a Game-Key Card was initially thought to be related to the cost of producing the Switch 2's 64GB cartridges, but Ubisoft's audio architect, Rob Bantin, has clarified that performance issues were the primary concern. Bantin stated that the Snowdrop engine, which powers the game, relies heavily on disk streaming for its open-world environments and that the Switch 2's cartridges did not provide the necessary performance to meet the desired quality standards. He emphasized that cost was not a factor in the decision, which was likely influenced by the fact that the game was not initially designed with the Switch 2 in mind. Instead, it was built around the SSDs of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with the Switch 2 version developed later. The use of Game-Key Cards has raised concerns about game preservation, as these cards may become dependent on servers that could eventually be shut down, rendering the games unplayable.