We've said in multiple editorials that the Nintendo Switch is more than the sum of its parts, but sometimes people need to use one to 'get it'. The core ingredients of a tablet with detachable controllers, that can be docked for a TV output, sounds neat but isn't necessarily considered game changing in isolation. What helps the system stand out - and seemingly generate significant demand in the marketplace - is how the hybrid functionality combines with Nintendo hardware design and gaming. Some would say it 'just works'.
Electronic Arts Worldwide Studios executive vice president Patrick Söderlund was among those that didn't initially 'get' the Switch. He admits as much in a recent interview with EDGE magazine, before explaining how his young son - and how he used the system - made him realise the console's strengths.
It’s doing really well, which I love. But I’ll be honest, when they first showed it to me years ago, I didn’t get the concept, I was puzzled by it. But then I was like, it’s Nintendo. They probably understand something that I don’t [laughs]. They usually do.
I have a four-year old son and it’s like it’s connected to him. He will use it as a portable machine, he will plug it into the TV, but more importantly, he uses it like, ‘Do you want to play with me?’ Then he takes off the Joy-Con and we play Mario Kart together. He’s using it as intended, which just tells me that it’s working right.
I think it’s a pretty special machine because it’s not just more of the same. I looked at it and thought, why would you play on that instead of this? But now it’s crystal clear to me why. That’s the Switch.
The system is certainly having a positive impact on a number of consumers since its launch. Demand has remained high in multiple territories, with retailers in some countries still struggling to keep up. Nintendo will no doubt hope to continue that momentum through 2017 to lead into a strong second year.
As for EA, it'll be interesting to see whether it achieves success with FIFA 18 on the system, and whether it steps up with any other projects.
With thanks to SLIGEACH_EIRE for the heads up.
[source myfavouritemagazines.co.uk, via nintendo-insider.com]
Comments 50
For the love of god I hope they GIVE US MADDEN ON THE SWITCH!!!
Now can we have Sims 4 on the Switch?
Of course he's saying nice things. It's bad PR to trash something popular, especially when you stand to potentially make money by publishing games on it. But will EA support the Switch in any meaningful way? That remains to be seen.
Er, we need NHL hitz
EA executives: outwitted by their children.
@JHDK I would be SO SO SO SO HAPPY if I had Madden on my Switch. Hell, even the 3DS got a Madden game! What's the hold up, EA?!
'when they first showed it to me years ago, I didn’t get the concept.....'
Years ago.... i thought ninty didnt show devs until like e3 2016 or maybe a few months before that. But years ago? Hmmm
Nintendo knocked out of the park with the Switch. I just love my Switch as well
Now that's encouraging. The most powerful people in the industry need their own family members to convince them to consider developing for Nintendo platforms because the people who buy them can't.
@readyletsgo That's what I picked up on too. Nintendo clearly abandoned the Wii U early on, though publicly they couldn't say that. And if you're EA who already have a problem with Nintendo, why would you have confidence in the Switch when they so easily gave up on the previous console?
EA's recent muttering seem to hint at them creating a particular narrative around the Switch that they seem fairly unique - and determined - in peddling.
They're running the system down as a 'serious' games machine. Instead they want their fans to see it purely as a portable 'little brother' to their current - or upcoming graphics beasts. Something cool and fun - but not fit for purpose when you want to play with the big boys.
It kind of makes sense when you consider how heavily invested EA are in their games realising one of the 'core gamer' ideals: of worlds that you can inhabit and master that feel like super polished surrogates to our real world. No abstraction - no suspending disbelief - blockbuster style shiz with you as the lead - only with even bigger budgets.
They've made such a fuss about their Frostbite engine which may or may not run in some capacity on the Switch. But in no way is it going to show their biggest, shinyest, most profitable properties off to their game defying best on Nintendos console - or bring home the wow factor that is one of the big drivers of sales for these games.
They know most of the teenagers will buy them for the PS4/XBOX/PC - and maybe just maybe pick up the Switch copy for on the side / social play.
But I think they're worried about the more casual gamers. The busier / alternative crowd that want to play FIFA but need it to fit in amongst many other tasks and activity. Who aren't invested in the game clan wars and like the idea of a smaller, quieter, cheaper system you can play in bed or while the TV is in use. Which is excactly the audience Nintendo has targeted in their advertising.
While Nintendo have been losing ground and cultural relevance in the last 10 years - the HD years - EA have been at the forefront of defining expectations of what gamers want from their blockbusters - and their consoles - for better or worse (ok mainly worse).
They may like the Switch - but they need to keep it and Nintendo in their place so it can't change the landscape and shift the needle away from EA's brand of bombast and splendour.
Is that a conspiracy theory?
EA, are dirt in my eyes. I wouldn't and don't believe a word from them. I hold them, Konami and Capcom(the other 2 are much worse) in the same regard. Something I scraped off my shoe. They need to regain my trust. It's hard to say no to a Resident Evil though. Bring the Resident Evil 2 Remake to Switch and RE7 and that'll go a long way to patching things up. You did ask Nintendo for that extra RAM on the Switch afterall and got it.
@readyletsgo I thought the very same thing. Interesting....
Sounds like he's abit dull to me lol
Huh. I guess that's cool, but what about the Switch's concept was difficult for him to understand? It seems exceedingly simple to me.
Mr. Söderlund's "understanding" of the Switch will correlate directly with how much it sells.
@TJM man some people really go to the far end overanalysing the industry to the point of paranoia.
Off topic a little, but I actually think Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare would be a great fit for the Switch!! Bring it over!!
I still need to get a switch 😭😭😭
Ya, I think most of the industry is doing a 180 right about now. Most of these execs have kids who love the thing to death. Wasn't it Square or Namco or KT or NIS or... I can't remember, who had a kid who loved it and it made them realize they needed to get on board?
EA has done a complete about face from launch. I think FIFA is going to do well (it's 1080p/720p 60fps and basically uncompromised from current console versions... people are gonna be on that. Even I'm on that). They're gonna tuck a few more games into the lineup next year, and those will do well, and I think EA will probably be all in after that. If games are selling, they'll be there. That's the one language they speak and understand.
@JHDK Yeah I want it so bad I want a late port of this years version. But it's EA Half arsed versions of Fifa are the likely treatment whenever a console launches and when they don't sell well I guess the consumer is the problem they messed it up.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE capcom is porting over Resident evil 2 over though!
@MattFox Indeed
@readyletsgo Didn't Nintendo once say that they were working closely with some publishers as the system was being developed? He could be referring to that when the concept, or even an early prototype was being shown for input..... That or he is losing track of time like the rest of us =
The Switch concept is its winning attribute. It's flexibility gives you a level of freedom never before found, at least at this level of quality of gaming. Zelda helped sell it in the west, but the fact that both MK Deluxe and Splatoon 2 have outsold it in Japan, tells you the real reason it sells is the multiple gaming options of the concept.
It is also a mostly well designed tech, save a few blemishes here & there. But it's shortcomings are well overmatched by its strengths.
Effectively captures what I like about Nintendo in the first place. Rather than directly competing they always side-step a direct graphics race and find some new reason to choose them. They're the light whipit in a pit of bull mastiffs.
@Nolan420 I'm going to guess that no, he did not get a Switch. He posts comments about not wanting a Switch in just about every single article on this site.
@BezBot
YES !
Pretty Please, EA !!
Bring The Sims 4 for Switch !!
Knowing that a 4 year old is crushing the Switch should be a sign of relief. It speaks to the Switch's intuitiveness and shows that Nintendo is staying relevant to the new generation. Great stuff.
@TJM
I don't know if I'd call that a conspiracy theory. It definitely fits the bill when it comes to the EA I'm familiar with. Bombast and all that.
Likewise, phrases like "worlds that you can inhabit and master that feel like super polished surrogates to our real world" remind me of Sony and their advertising. It's a perspective on gaming that I feel is less and less relevant to me and instead seems to target the stereotypical, socially-reclusive gamer.
Regardless of if it your comment is true or a conspiracy or whatnot, it was definitely a nice read. Thanks!
While thus far the Switch is exploding on the indie side, and continues to sell out in 5 minutes everywhere when stores finally restock, i still don't see a big indication of "AAA" games as they call them, being announced. The last time I was surprised was the announcement of Pay Day 2. Perhaps it's happening behind the scenes with publishers doing a 180 or even a 360 and yet to reveal itself. While I also understand that soccer is huge, FIFA for Switch does nothing for me personally. Now if EA announced Need for speed, Battlefield, Star Wars, Madden, NHL etc etc for Switch then that's a whole other thing!
@TJM
Eh... remember some EA games on Wii and NDS such as My Sims, Charm Girl Club, Spore Heroes, Sim Animals, etc ?
Actually, those games have a big potential. But, EA screwed those games with very lack of features.
And I want to add that some EA games are not just typical FIFA, Madden, etc. What about some Trivial games like I write on above ? Kids and Girls are their market for those games.
I think the most special thing about Switch is that it is not just more of the same, yes, but at the same time it also has all the same old things I used to love and love still now.
I love the first Wii but at the same time I had to give up on so many things I was used to and I appreciate to enjoy it, it was a fantastic experience to have it but at the same time I always missed something.
Switch instead have everything. It can do anything. It is like the ultimate gaming device. Of course you can always want a more powerful one, more rich in features and functionalities, and that's why in the future I hope we will see a Switch 2, Switch 3 and so on instead of different new consoles.
This is everything, anything too different than this would be a step back, this is why it is so special.
I think that is something that is being lost in the current market. That joy of gaming. Back before it was about being in a clan, or who has the most trophies or all the adults arguing over whose purchase is better there is just that simple joy of playing a game. It always baffles me how humans make even play serious and suck the life out of it, but the thing that keeps me into gaming, Nintendo in particular, is I can still get that face splitting, grin ear to ear euphoria that I had when I was a kid and playing games with my mom. That is a special feeling and to hear that exec connect to that again through his kid is pretty cool. Let's just play, everyone.
The Switch is selling like crazy without EA support. It's impossible to get a Switch even though third parties have remained lukewarm. That tells you something.
The EA Story-book
Dad: "There you go Son, your very own switch"
Son: "Thanks DAD!"
and days past where the dad wasn't bothered by his sons constant nagging.
Dad: "This switch concept is amazing"
The End
@coleman83 Maybe it's impossible to get one because of stock problems.
I'm still nervous to let my 3 year old touch my Switch
@BAN @Nolan420 Do you know how many people ask me this? It gets tiresome answering everyone. I again answered it less than a day ago.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/08/video_digital_foundry_shares_its_full_technical_breakdown_of_sonic_mania#comment4081552
@TJM
I don't think it's a conspiracy theory, no. However it is a fair reflection of how the industry-specifically, the Western AAA publishers- sees the Switch. They want Nintendo doing something different and attracting people who may otherwise not buy a console. They have absolutely no interest in another identikit PC-based TV console to port their games to and cannibalise existing sales on other formats. Luckily, Nintendo sees things the same way so as long as Switch continues to sell, support will come even if it isn't the same AAA games as on PS4/XB1/PC.
Ok, now where is the Sims for switch
@Bruh that and Star Wars are the only things I want from EA on the Switch.
MADDEN and STAR WARS, please.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE No one asks you that. Because we all know the answer. Because you talk about it constantly. This guy is probably the first person I've seen actually ask you if you were going to buy a Switch, hence my answering his question the way I did.
@BAN The crap I and lies I have to listen to from people.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/08/video_digital_foundry_shares_its_full_technical_breakdown_of_sonic_mania#comment4081540
So... like two people have asked you that? Regardless, you know that you're constantly posting comments about how much you dislike/don't care about Switch, so I think you get the point I'm making. Which is also why I think it's strange that you're getting so defensive about this. I don't care if you want a Switch or don't want one. I was simply pointing out to that person that you've made your feelings on the matter abundantly clear.
@BAN Stop feeding the troll!
@SLIGEACH_EIRE,
I don't get it! You are obviously in the "I am not convinced yet" camp like I am. So why sending this article wich is basically yet another praise for the Switch?!
@Julien Normally I'd agree with you, but I don't think sligeach is a troll. He's been posting on this site for several years, and not ALL of his comments are annoying. He actually has some good insights from time to time. I just don't have the stomach for his constant cynicism, which I think sometimes leads him to intentionally antagonize everyone out of resentment, which I suppose is kind of like trolling.
I suppose he could be a troll with a really good long game, though. But I don't think so. He's just a guy that "likes" Nintendo but thinks everything they've done in the last 15 years is extremely stupid
@BAN A broken clock is still correct twice a day!
I think NL should commission Sligsy to write opinion pieces, as I do find his predominantly negative outlook and perpetual one man crusade to resuscitate the Wii U rather amusing. Maybe also get @Anti-Matter on board for the positivity?
The Wii U did have some great games, but looked like a Fisher Price toy, was named and marketed very poorly, and if the gamepad was more than a few feet from the console would display a connection error. The asynchronous gameplay was an interesting concept but, like a lot of Nintendo's ideas or peripherals, wasn't fully exploited.
Meanwhile Switch is doing gangbusters, which helps both Nintendo and the gaming industry as a whole. We should all be thankful of that.
Anyway, back to EA. Not a big fan, but again, if their games increase Switch sales then that's fine by me.
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