Star Wars Outlaws has taken the gaming world by storm, and if you’re a fan waiting to play it on the Nintendo Switch 2, you might be wondering why it’s being released as a game-key card instead of a traditional cartridge. Well, the answer lies with the tech behind it, and we’re diving into the juicy details!
Recently, Rob Bantin, the audio architect for Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine, opened up about the reasoning behind this decision. In a candid social media post, he shared insights that shed light on the technical hurdles developers face when bringing ambitious titles to new platforms. He mentioned that the “engine relies heavily on disk streaming for its open-world environments, and Switch 2 cards didn’t give the performance needed for their quality target.”
Can you imagine trying to cram an expansive galaxy far, far away into a tiny cartridge that just can’t handle the data? Bantin went on to explain that if Star Wars Outlaws had been developed specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2 from the get-go, things might have turned out differently. “As it was, we’d build a game around the SSDs of the initial target platforms, and then the Switch 2 came along a while later,” he noted. It’s clear that the team faced some tough decisions, and Bantin feels that leadership made the right call.
But let’s break this down a bit more. The conversation surrounding game-key cards has been buzzing, especially when it comes to file sizes. As of 2025, Nintendo hasn’t provided many options for physical releases without a download. If you want a game on a cartridge that requires zero additional downloads, you’re looking at a hefty 64GB option, and some publishers are hesitant to shell out the cash for that. Plus, we already see several titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 exceeding that 64GB limit.
Now, you might be wondering about the file size for Star Wars Outlaws. Surprisingly, it clocks in around 20GB, which means it could easily fit on a standard cartridge. So, what gives? This is where Ubisoft’s technical limitations come into play. The game is designed to leverage advanced streaming technologies that simply can’t be accommodated on a regular cartridge. It’s all about optimizing performance, and sometimes that means making tough choices.
As gamers, we all want the best experience possible, right? The last thing anyone wants is a game that’s compromised due to hardware limitations. Ubisoft seems committed to delivering a high-quality experience with Star Wars Outlaws, and if that means using a game-key card for the Switch 2, so be it. The game is currently available for purchase, and if you’re eager to dive into the adventure, you can check out the new trailer for this version here.
In conclusion, while it might be disappointing to see Star Wars Outlaws released as a game-key card, understanding the technology behind the decision helps put things into perspective. It’s a balancing act between delivering a stellar gaming experience and navigating the limitations of new hardware. As we move further into 2025, it’s exciting to see how developers like Ubisoft innovate and adapt to create the gaming experiences we all crave. So grab your Switch 2, get ready to explore the galaxy, and stay tuned for more updates!
