Half of all video game developers believe that Nintendo's upcoming hybrid console, the Switch, will usurp its predecessor, the Wii U, in terms of sales.
The forecast comes from a State of the Industry survey ahead of the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco happening late February. The results were culled from 4,500 gaming professionals.
Nintendo Switch Will Outperform Wii U In Sales
According to the survey, 50 percent of game industry personnel believe that the Switch will sell better than the Wii U, which visibly struggled to gain traction in the presence of Sony's PlayStation 4, and Microsoft's Xbox One, two of its primary competitors.
For the uninitiated, the Switch is a home console that doubles as a portable device, featuring a tablet with detachable controllers. When the tablet is lodged in its dock, it functions as a regular home console, allowing players to play games on a TV.
Developers Doubt The Switch's Gimmick
Developers seem doubtful whether the Switch's main gimmick — seamless shifting between handheld and docked modes — will appeal to consumers. Only about 19 percent say it will; 48 percent say it's possible, while noting that the feature isn't "world-changing" by any means.
The Switch was revealed late October, clearly portraying key scenarios via a short clip that communicated what the Switch is. The operative word here is "clearly," because unlike the Wii U, the marketing for the console in question has so far been very slick, with no mixed messages polluting the narrative.
When the Wii U was being promoted, there were many people who falsely thought of it as a mere Wii peripheral instead of a successor. The Switch doesn't seem to be experiencing the same phenomenon, thanks in part to the company's precise and unequivocal marketing for the console.
PlayStation 4 Pro And Project Scorpio
As for Sony's and Microsoft's more powerful consoles, known as the PlayStation 4 Pro and the forthcoming Project Scorpio, developers seem more doubtful. The survey found that 41 percent were unsure whether the consoles were good for the industry, while 36 percent said they were neutral about it.
Nintendo Switch Rumors
Since its reveal, Nintendo has kept mum about the Switch, therefore, only rumors, speculation, and FCC filings have so far painted an idea of its essential metrics that have yet to be announced. As per the FCC filings, the Switch will have Wi-Fi ac connectivity with speeds of 5 GHz, Bluetooth connectivity, and a non-removable battery.
The innards remain in heated contention, although EuroGamer's report about the Switch's dismal speeds compared with current-generation consoles seem the most legitimate, a benefit of the doubt it has earned thanks to its track record of mostly being right Switch rumors. It had accurately predicted the console's hybrid nature back when it was still codenamed the "NX."
Several games are rumored to coincide with the Switch's release, with reports suspecting Skyrim and a new 3D Mario as launch games. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild could also be a launch game, but it doesn't help that the game's purported release date has been constantly in flux.
Anyhow, Nintendo will reveal more about the Switch Thursday evening. The console hits shelves March.
