Latest news with #physicalgames
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Despite Switch 2's controversial game-key cards, Nintendo president says "physical games are still a key part of our business"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. With Switch, Nintendo is currently offering the platform friendliest to physical game collectors, but the existence of game-key cards for Switch 2 has the holdouts from the supposedly inevitable digital future feeling nervous. For now, though, it seems Nintendo has no plans to abandon proper retail cartridges. "In the immediate future, physical games are still a key part of our business," Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser tells IGN. "And we value our relationships in particular with our retailers, and want to make sure we have products available for them to sell to their consumers." Technically, game-key cards do give retailers something to sell, but it remains to be seen if that's something players want to buy. Several industry figures have been outspoken about what game-key cards represent, calling them "disheartening" and saying that "we're losing some of what made the business special." "When you look at Game-Key Cards," Bowser continues, "For us, our goal with Nintendo Switch 2 – similar to what we were able to accomplish on Nintendo Switch – is to have the broadest and deepest library of content we possibly can. And that includes our publishing partners. And Game-Key Cards are a way that our publishing partners are able to bring more content onto the platform, deeper and larger, more immersive content on the platform." Game-key cards are certainly proving popular among third-party developers, as the vast majority of Switch 2 launch games not published by Nintendo are being released in this format. One exception is Cyberpunk 2077, and CD Projekt has suggested other publishers should "not underestimate the physical edition." Whether that warning means much in the end remains to be seen. Here are the upcoming Switch 2 games you need to know about.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lost In Cult Launches Physical Games Label, And It Looks Gorgeous
Lost In Cult is going physical with games, and it looks utterly fantastic. Lost In Cult, a U.K.-based creative studio known for its gaming-themed printed works, has launched a new publishing label dedicated to physical video games. Even before the release of its initial trilogy, it looks like it's doing everything right, to the point I'm already worried about my ever-dwindling disposable income. Framed around the principles of game preservation, artistic presentation, and accessibility, Lost In Cult hopes to establish a new benchmark for how physical games are curated and produced. It's coming out swinging: the label will debut with three powerful titles across PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, which retail for a base price of £59.99 ($80.30): Each title will be released in two formats: standard mass-market copies, as well as limited collector-focused 'EDITIONS,' true to Lost In Cult's form for small-batch, high-end packages. These include: Look at it, though. Good lord. Most importantly, and in a deliberate move to futureproof its releases, all of the label's games will be complete on disc or cartridge, meaning you never need an internet connection to play them. Lost In Cult has partnered with the game preservation group DoesItPlay? to ensure each title meets offline play standards. Titles that pass these checks will be given its 'DoesItPlay? Approved' badge. It's an admirable move akin to GOG's Game Preservation Program, which does the same in digital terms. While this will undoubtedly limit Lost In Cult's selection process due to disc or cartridge space, there's a good chance it won't, given the company's focus on indie hits. It's already going down well with those working with Lost In Cult, too. Sam Barlow said: 'Collaborating with Lost In Cult has been nothing short of a delight. Each new treasure they create feels like a genuine companion piece, not just a 'nice to have.'' Shaun Aitcheson of Cloak and Dagger Games, who helped create The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, added: 'It had long been our dream to release a physical Switch version. In an era where games are becoming increasingly digital-only, Lost In Cult is doing wonders for the future preservation of indie games.' Mass-market game releases will be available at retail through distribution partner PM Studio, though the limited EDITIONS will only be sold directly through Lost In Cult's website in small batches. Future titles from the label are expected to be revealed in the coming months, and my jam-packed shelves hate me already.
