The delay of the Nintendo Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy is another reminder of the aging hardware's limits. While the console is great for kids and families to play in airplane mode, third-party publishers are beginning to realize the difficulty in porting their wares to the Switch.
Sacrificing Content to Provide the Best Experience: Why Hogwarts Legacy Got Delayed on the Nintendo Switch
Developers have to make compromises to get their games running properly, and sometimes, that means sacrificing content. Developers Avalanche Software and Warner Bros. Games decided to delay the release of Hogwarts Legacy on the Switch so that the team could provide the best possible experience for Switch players.
According to the story by Engadget, that decision also made perfect sense as the game had already suffered two delays, pushing it back from April to July 25th. Switch owners can't expect to play the open-world wizard simulator until November 14th.
While the rest of last-gen's ports have since been released, the Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy still hasn't even launched. This has been a huge problem for third-party publishers, as games rarely run as well on Nintendo's aging hardware as on the more powerful Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
Optimizing for the Latest Consoles at the Expense of the Nintendo Switch
It's been a long journey for the Nintendo Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy, but it's finally coming. The much-anticipated open-world wizard simulator was originally scheduled for release in April but has since been pushed back multiple times, with the latest delay pushing it back to November 14th, as announced on Twitter.
This delay has disappointed fans, but it doesn't come as a surprise. The Switch version of the game has always had a challenge providing a good experience on relatively aging hardware. Per its Amazon listing, the game's release date was displayed as on July 25, 2023.
As the current generation of console war heats up, the demand for better performance has meant that developers have had to focus more on optimizing for the latest consoles, leaving the Nintendo Switch - and its comparatively limited capabilities - behind.
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The Wait for Hogwarts Legacy on Nintendo Switch is Almost Over
That's not to say the port is out of luck, though. Developers have confirmed that additional changes will be made to help improve the experience in time for launch. Furthermore, those looking for more on-the-go Hogwarts Legacy experience can jump into the Steam Deck version, which has been verified to run the game.
It's also worth noting that despite some controversial features, Hogwarts Legacy has performed admirably since its launch. The title has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and generated more than a billion dollars in revenue - incredible numbers for any publisher.
It remains to be seen how the Nintendo Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy will perform when it releases in November. Still, the developers are confident it will the the "best possible experience" for players. Regardless, the wait for the definitive portable version of the game is almost over, and the Hogwarts Legacy on Switch will soon be here.
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