Ubisoft has clarified its decision to use Game Key Cards for Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2, rather than traditional cartridges, attributing this choice to the console`s physical media technical constraints.
Rob Bantin, the audio architect for Ubisoft`s Snowdrop Engine, elaborated on this on BlueSky in response to Digital Foundry`s John Linneman. Bantin stated that the game`s extensive open-world environments heavily depend on disk-streaming, a performance level that Switch 2 cartridges could not provide to meet the game`s quality benchmarks. He suggested that a game designed specifically for Switch 2 from the outset might have approached this differently, but given that Star Wars Outlaws was initially developed for platforms with SSDs (like PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S) before Switch 2 emerged, the decision to use Game Key Cards was deemed appropriate by leadership.
Game Key Cards have previously sparked debate within the Nintendo community. These cards typically function as a download key for the digital version, rather than holding the complete game data directly on the physical cartridge. Although they offer the flexibility of being resold and are not tied to a specific console, some critics worry about the implications for long-term game preservation.
Despite the controversies, Star Wars Outlaws appears to be a solid third-party offering on the Switch 2, with available gameplay footage demonstrating a stable 30 frames per second. While its visual fidelity doesn`t match the PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S counterparts, Ubisoft`s success in optimizing the game for Switch 2 is seen as a positive sign for the console and future Ubisoft titles. This contrasts with reports suggesting that Elden Ring`s performance on Switch 2 is considerably less impressive.
Star Wars Outlaws arrived on Switch 2 on September 4th, approximately a year after its initial launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. This Switch 2 edition comes bundled with both DLC expansions, “Wild Card” and “A Pirate`s Fortune.” However, this release might be an isolated case, given that the game did not achieve commercial success for Ubisoft. CEO Yves Guillemot attributed the game`s failure to meet sales targets partly to the “choppy waters” the Star Wars brand was navigating. It`s also important to remember that the game faced criticism from both reviewers and players upon its initial release due to its poorly paced introductory mission and several technical glitches.
Many of these initial problems have since been resolved, and the subsequent DLC expansions have generally garnered positive reception.