🔍 Summary:
Imran Khan, a well-known games journalist, has reported that Nintendo refused to provide Embracer Group with development kits for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. According to Khan, Nintendo labeled Embracer as “too chaotic” about eight months ago, fearing that the kits might end up missing if they were sent to studios that could potentially shut down. However, groups that were later sold off from Embracer and then re-evaluated seemed to have better success in acquiring the kits.
The news highlights Embracer Group’s recent instability, marked by numerous studio closures, game cancellations, and significant layoffs. This situation is part of a broader trend noted by Digital Foundry’s John Linneman, who pointed out that many developers, especially medium and small-sized ones, still lack access to the Nintendo Switch 2 development kits. Nintendo has been very selective in distributing these kits, mirroring the cautious approach they took with the original Nintendo Switch, which launched with only a few games as Nintendo initially partnered with major publishers.
Additionally, a new image from the Nintendo Today app suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 might include a mouse feature, indicating further innovations in the upcoming console. This selective distribution and innovation hint at Nintendo’s strategic planning for the launch and development ecosystem of the Switch 2.