Former Assassin’s Creed Lead Isn’t Happy About Switch 2’s Game-Key Cards
By “I despise it. I find it quite ridiculous.”
- by Jim Norman
A significant amount of discussion surrounding the Switch 2 Direct has been centered on the console’s new Game Key Cards, debating whether they are advantageous for the industry and if anyone will genuinely purchase these items. Recently, in an interview with VideoGamer, Creative Director Alex Hutchinson, known for his work on Assassin’s Creed III and Far Cry 4, expressed his views on this fresh physical option — spoiler alert: he’s not particularly excited about it.
Hutchinson likened the Switch 2 Game Key Cards to a similar initiative by Xbox One back in 2013, mentioning that Nintendo seems likely to “get away with it,” while critics were quick to target Microsoft. “It illustrates the influence of nostalgia in our industry that reactions towards Microsoft and Nintendo differ so greatly, especially in Europe,” Hutchinson remarked. “With Nintendo, it’s like, ‘oh, they’re doing it, so we won’t complain much’.”
On a personal note, Hutchinson was quite straightforward. “I despise it. I find it quite ridiculous,” he shared with VideoGamer. “I’m concerned that we are straying from the unique charm of our business. Trading Game Boy cartridges at school, or the DS among today’s youth—there’s something charming about that.”
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the internal license of the Game Key Cards allows for games to be traded on the playground or resold — which differs from a one-time use code in a box — yet we acknowledge Hutchinson’s viewpoint nonetheless.
Despite ongoing dissatisfaction concerning Game Key Cards, it appears to be the route that most publishers are adopting for Switch 2 launches (at least as of now). Recently, it was announced that the Switch 2 version of Star Wars Outlaws would also be offered as a Game Key Card, joining others like Madden 26, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Street Fighter 6, among a slew of other noteworthy titles.
Do you concur with Hutchinson’s perspective on Game Key Cards, or are you more optimistic about the concept? Share your thoughts in the comments.
[source videogamer.com]