According to GameSpot, Electronic Arts COO Peter Moore spoke at a conference today regarding the publisher’s plans for the Nintendo Switch. Moore was unwilling to divest any promises of support, however, preferring instead to maintain distance with the platform:
Moore added that, “We’re going to watch with interest,” along with other major publishers, noting that Nintendo’s ability to leverage its major intellectual properties is always impressive.
Earlier this month Electronic Arts announced that it has a game or two in development that will be brought to the Nintendo Switch, which includes a bigger release ported from the other platforms. That title, according to EA, won’t be Mass Effect: Andromeda, but obviously things can always change depending on the market.
EA isn’t the only publisher that’s hesitant about the Nintendo Switch, but it may be the publisher that’s hardest to persuade. EA invested in development for the Wii U early on, releasing several games including Mass Effect 3. After that, however, it dropped support for the Wii U entirely and has since been one of Nintendo’s harshest critics. EA’s promise of one or two games for the Nintendo Switch is already a stark turnaround, but should those games not find success, EA could be the quickest to abandon support.
That isn’t to say that other publishers aren’t excited about opportunities on the Nintendo Switch, however. Ubisoft has been very vocal about the potential of the Switch, though admittedly Ubisoft targets younger audiences much more than EA. If Ubisoft starts raking in profits and the Nintendo Switch takes off though, expect EA to have renewed vigor for the platform.
It will be interesting to see what EA does decide to bring to the Nintendo Switch initially, as it may be telling. If EA brings Titanfall 2, for instance, it would be an impressive indicator in publishers’ believe that the platform can appeal to all ages. If instead it’s Plants vs. Zombies, or perhaps an unannounced Star Wars title targeted at younger audience, that will be telling too.
The Nintendo Switch is tentatively planned for release in March 2017. Expect more news on the console’s launch in January, along with announcements regarding the platform’s third party support.
Source: GameSpot
