October 18th 2024.
Will the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 be priced similarly to the recently announced Steam Deck? This question has sparked a lot of speculation and discussion among gamers, with one reader even pointing out the potential limitations of weight and price in determining the console's capabilities. It's clear that the biggest factor in this decision will be how much Nintendo is willing to charge.
When the original Switch was released, it had a price tag of £280, which aligns with Nintendo's typical pricing strategy over the years. However, the cheapest Steam Deck is priced at £350, leading some to believe that Nintendo may consider going slightly higher. There have also been rumors of two different models, with one possibly priced at £300 and another at £500. This would be a new approach for Nintendo, but with their dominant position in the market, they may be feeling more confident and willing to push the boundaries.
But with great success comes the risk of becoming too cocky and overconfident. It remains to be seen whether Nintendo will take this risk and how consumers will respond to a higher price point. For this reader, the ideal price for the standard version would be £300.
Moving on to other topics, it's worth mentioning the recent statements made by Shawn Layden, former head of PlayStation America. While some may have reservations about him, it's hard to argue with his predictions and observations in the gaming industry over the past couple of years. However, it seems unlikely that many publishers will heed his advice, as they continue to chase the elusive success of live service games like Fortnite. It's a vicious cycle that shows no signs of stopping, and one can't help but wonder if it will take an even bigger failure for them to change their ways.
Speaking of disappointments, the recent Xbox Partner Preview was a bit of a letdown, with a lack of exclusive titles and an overwhelming number of Soulslikes. It almost seemed like a marketing strategy for Sony, as most people will likely purchase these games on the PlayStation 5. As for the potential reveal of the Switch 2, it's possible we may see it later this year, perhaps at The Game Awards. But regardless, this reader hopes that publishers will start making more of an effort next year and avoid just coasting through this generation.
Switching gears, let's talk about the highly anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard. While the reveal trailer may have been underwhelming, the subsequent gameplay footage has shown promise, reminiscent of the older games in the series. However, there's something about the marketing and presentation that has this reader feeling uneasy. Maybe it's because it's been so long since EA has released a game of this genre, but they seem to have lost their touch. Let's hope that this game proves the doubters wrong, for the sake of BioWare's reputation and the future of the Mass Effect series.
On a more positive note, one reader shared their experience of bringing their old Nintendo 3DS on a work trip and catching the attention of a fellow commuter. Despite the majority of people being glued to their phones or laptops, this reader's gaming session seemed to inspire someone else to take a break from the constant scrolling and have some fun.
Lastly, there's been a lot of buzz surrounding the news that IO Interactive, the developers of Hitman, will be creating a James Bond game. While they may have hired British talent for the project, there are concerns about whether their style and humor will align with the iconic franchise. Previous Bond games have focused heavily on combat and driving, but to truly capture the essence of the films, the developers will need to go beyond these elements. The success of GoldenEye 007 showed that a great James Bond game is possible, but it will require a delicate balance between action and storytelling.
Is the upcoming Switch 2 going to cost as much as the Steam Deck? That's a question that's been on many gamers' minds lately. The Friday letters page has been buzzing with discussion about Shawn Layden's recent predictions, and one reader in particular is unsure about what to make of the upcoming game Dragon Age: The Veilguard. If you want to join in on the conversations, you can email us your thoughts at the provided email address.
One of the biggest factors that will affect the success of the Switch 2 is its price. Many have speculated about how powerful the console will be, but one reader raised a good point - the weight and cost of the console will ultimately limit its capabilities. With that in mind, the big question is how much Nintendo is willing to charge for the Switch 2.
The original Switch was priced at £280 at launch, and based on Nintendo's pricing history, it's unlikely that they will want to go much higher than that. However, the cheapest version of the Steam Deck is priced at £350, so there's a possibility that Nintendo may decide to charge a bit more for their console. There have been rumors about two different models being released, with prices ranging from £300 to £500. It's a new approach for Nintendo, but given their dominant position in the market, they may feel confident enough to try it out. It remains to be seen if consumers will be willing to pay the higher price, but personally, I wouldn't go above £300 for the standard version.
Moving on to other gaming news, I have to admit that I was never a fan of Shawn Layden during his time as the head of PlayStation America. However, I have to give credit where credit is due - he has been spot on with his predictions over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like anyone is really listening to him.
Every game publisher seems to believe that their live service game will be the next big thing, and that anyone else trying to do the same thing is just wasting their time. But the reality is, they're all chasing after the same goal, and none of them are really succeeding. It's hard to say what will make them finally give up, or if they'll just keep trying even more outlandish schemes to get rich quick.
Switching gears, let's talk about the recent Xbox Partner Preview. While some may say it was a disappointment, I don't think it was ever meant to be a major event. There were a lot of games in the style of Dark Souls, but nothing that really stood out as being exclusive to Xbox. In fact, it almost felt like they were just promoting Sony's games, since most people will likely buy them on PlayStation 5. As for a potential Switch 2 reveal this year, I doubt we'll see another State of Play, but I wouldn't be surprised if something big is announced at The Game Awards. I have no idea what it could be, but I do hope that game publishers start putting more effort into their releases next year. It's about time they start announcing more than one game a year and actually build some momentum for this generation. Because as far as I can tell, no one is ready to move on to the next generation just yet.
On a personal note, I can't help but feel a bit unsure about the upcoming game Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The reveal trailer was less than impressive, but the more recent gameplay footage seems more promising and reminiscent of the older games. However, there's something about the way it's being marketed that is setting off warning bells in my head. Maybe it's because EA hasn't released a game like this in a while, but I hope it turns out to be a success, if only for the sake of the Mass Effect franchise.
Speaking of games, I had a fun experience recently when I brought my old Nintendo 3DS with me on a work trip. Most people on the train were glued to their phones or laptops, but I caught the attention of one gentleman who kept glancing over at me. By the end of the trip, he had put away his phone and was playing a game on it instead. It made me happy to think that my old Nintendo had inspired someone to inject a little fun into their daily commute.
Lastly, I have some doubts about Io Interactive being the best choice to develop a James Bond game. While they may have hired some British employees since acquiring the license, the tone and humor of the Bond films is vastly different from that of the Hitman games. Sure, GoldenEye 007 was a great game, but its success had little to do with it being based on Bond. If they want to make a truly great James Bond game, they'll need to focus on more than just combat and driving, as many previous games in the franchise have done.
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