Nintendo: Don’t Assume Switch Reveal Shows Game Footage
In what has been a relatively great promotional launch for the Switch, Nintendo may have made their first big misstep.
In the trailer, footage of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and 2K’s NBA 2K17 were shown to be running on the console. However, both companies have issued near-identical statements to Polygon that they are “happy to have the opportunity to collaborate with Nintendo” on the Switch, but refused to confirm if these, or any other, specific titles would be coming to the console at launch. On top of this, a Nintendo EU Representative has confirmed to Eurogamer that the footage shown running on the Switch throughout the announcement trailer does not represent any actual game titles (emphasis added):
“At a later date, before the March launch, we’ll be talking about things like exact launch date, and of course, the games. You shouldn’t assume what you saw on the video represents actual game footage and further specifics on first-party games will be provided later.”
The footage of the Mario game is added in post, seen here overlapping her shirt.
YouTuber GameXplain interviewed one of “Pro” Splatoon players shown the reveal video, getting a behind-the-scenes look at its shooting process. In the interview, it was revealed that the consoles themselves were dummies with nothing shown on-screen. This in itself isn’t a huge issue (shooting LCD screens under studio lighting is notoriously hard), but combined with the lack of title confirmation, the video mostly boils down to a proof-of-concept – no real hardware and no real games.
So, what do you think? I’m all for giving us a feel of the console, but I would’ve loved to have seen some confirmation that the graphics shown were representative of the console. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
It’s a pretty standard disclaimer from Nintendo, though it really should’ve been included in small-print on the video.
I feel like the footage shown has to be reasonably close to what we can expect from the finished console, mind you. That Mario game has to be running on something; same with Splatoon and MK. And we’re too close to launch for them not to have something to show off, even if they want to play coy.
Those two games will definitely be on the switch. I’m taking that comment as, ‘the games will be there but may look different’. It makes no sense to show a title that won’t be on the switch. It does make sense to show place holder footage of a game who’s port has not been completed. Remember this commercial was filmed in July(?). That’s 8 months until console release.
…And the console’s release was pushed back because Nintendo wanted a full catalogue of games
I’ll assume they’re coming until I know they’re not. Its the modern day equivalent of lusting after a game on the back of the console’s box only for it to never come.
The Zelda footage was probably real. The frame rate looked smoother than the Wii U version videos that are out there.