Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

FIFA 18 WILL DETERMINE HOW MUCH ELECTRONIC ARTS WILL SUPPORT NINTENDO SWITCH

http://www.nintendo-insider.com/fifa-18-will-determine-how-mu...

@SLIGEACH_EIRE That is exactly what I thought would be the case, FIFA 18 will flop on Switch and then EA abandons the platform just like in previous gens.

Another game confirmed for Switch - 2D platformer Mecho Tales, to come out along with PS4 and PS Vita versions later in the year.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I like how you bolded the headline to show the importance of this article.

Don't worry, if the Switch version has Ultimate Team, then it will sell.

To be fair he does say

"testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see – and if they go well, I see no reason why we shouldn’t have as much of our portfolio on that platform as possible. I hope we get there, that would be my personal ambition.”

Personally, I think FIFA is going to do rather well. If it reviews well then it will be a console seller for some.

Does animation that is basically just sprite rotation and 'wobble' have a name? I'm not really a fan if I'm honest :/

@Grumblevolcano
There's only been one generation EA abandoned Nintendo, and that was Wii U after releasing 4 games on it. And those games didn't sell. So... it's only natural they stopped bringing games. Almost all 3rd parties abandoned Wii U, not just EA. Because no one's games were selling (even the 10/10 Bayonetta 2 with a free copy of Bayonetta tossed in with exclusive Nintendo content barely scraped by to a million- most other games were not as fortunate).

I seriously doubt EA is going to "abandon Switch" over FIFA. Obviously it needs to do better than some of their Wii U games did with a 5 mil install base, but they're not gonna expect a 50% attach rate. But regardless of FIFA, as long as Switch keeps selling they'll find something to bring to the table. They may be ruthless and greedy but they're not stupid. And if sports aren't the thing people want, maybe racing is. Maybe 7th gen ports are. Or, maybe FIFA does do well. Seems every other 3rd party game is exceeding expectations...

@Azooooz I bold all headlines. You must be new here.

@GrailUK Cheap Flash animations? I don't like it either.

I'm quite excited about FIFA on Switch...I've often found that arcade-style sports games work really well on portable games consoles - they tend to be the types of games that you can play for long sessions or short bursts alike - the addition of the ability to upscale your portable FIFA save and play it on the big screen is quite a cool prospect to me. Honestly, of the two versions of FIFA 18, I'd take the hybrid version over the static one (with added story mode) every time...the FIFA game I had on my N64 (RTWC '98) was more feature rich than the one I had on my Game Gear ('96?) - I loved both, but I probably put a lot more hours in to the GG one because it was just that bit more convenient to play - the Switch version promises the best (pretty much) of both worlds, so I'm really quite excited! ..maybe that's just me though?

EDIT: I understand that the story mode is a pretty big deal though - before its introduction, pretty much all you'd get from a 'new' FIFA game were updated rosters and a few new animations...at least the story mode offers something with a bit more substance - especially as they insist on it continuing to be an annualised franchise! FIFA 18 Switch could get away with 'hybrid' being the gimmick - but any potential FIFA 19 Switch might need to offer something a little bit extra...

@Octane Mecho Tales definitely looks cheap!
@NaviAndMii Not just you. I haven't bought a Fifa game since the Megadrive! I am genuinely excited about the Switch version and I reckon there will be some games in the pub (which has got to be a great advert for the system)

@GrailUK Wow! Yeah - I never even thought of that! Waiting for Arsenal vs. Chelsea at the pub? Have a quick Arsenal vs. Chelsea match with your mate on the Switch! So, so cool!

@NaviAndMii I know right! Switch Fifa is going to sell loads! I only hope Nintendo UK get the marketing right. Football + Pub + Switch = Sales! lol.

@GrailUK They dont have the marketing rights. That's Sony.

All Nintendo seems to have the rights for this year is any indie games they nab, Sonic, their own titles and their version of Skyrim.

Sony and Microsoft already bought the rest

@BLP_Software Oooohh you're losing me now hehe. So, EA won't advertise the game for Switch because they can only show it for 'the players'?

@GrailUK Sony has exclusive marketing rights for Call of Duty, FIFA, Destiny, Need for Speed I think, and probably most of the Ubisoft stable.

So no. In terms of marketing to the average Joe the other versions wont exist.

@BLP_Software "Sony and Microsoft already bought the rest"

And even then it's really mainly Sony. Microsoft this generation has been slowly loosing the exclusive rights to both marketing and content for a large majority of triple A titles.

@GrailUK pretty much. Only people who follow Nintendo fan sites and the few who wander into a random Game store that promotes Switch more than most will even know it's released on Switch. Nintendo can promote it in the Switch lock screen side bar though - their most valuable real estate - but that's about it.

A fair proportion of the audience will genuinely think it's a Sony exclusive like Uncharted or Destiny 2.

Which is, of course, the reason why Sony pays for 'marketing support' in the first place.

@BLP_Software @FragRed @StuTwo Oh wow guys. This is something I wasn't aware was a thing. And now thinking about it...it's bloody obvious it goes on! Cheers ^^

@StuTwo Destiny 2 isnt exclusive though!

I dont know what random Game stores you see in the UK promoting Switch when Sony has at least 70% of the market. GAME is on life support as is. Push the biggest player.

The only way people will know half these games are on Switch is by using the Switch, maybe seeing it at retail or in product listings, watching a Direct or maybe on social media if anyone BUT EA mentions it.

And thats the biggest hurdle in the UK. Sony is so firmly routed that they are buying these righta simply because they can. It stops the competition getting any leverage over them that isnt on the merits of the competition, and if the competition does have a compelling product lined up Sony can just drown it out with price cuts or more marketing deals.