The Nintendo Switch keeps having that momentum it's got since March of last year, when the console finally hit shelves around the world. While the game library may have not seem as big as people were expecting at launch, it's steadily been getting game releases on the Nintendo eShop quite regularly.
But having such a massive library that is constantly growing doesn't come without a handful of problems. Like every console allowing developers to sell their software on their respective online stores, the problem can be aggravated when it comes to independent developers even more—especially when big companies like Nintendo don't even provide a rating system for the games on their online store.
Nintendo Switch users have found themselves purchasing games that they thought would have gone through some sort of quality control by Nintendo, for example, realised that they were paying for lazy games that didn't even deserve to be featured on the eShop in the first place—more in particular regarding titles by independent developers. The problem here is that if Nintendo doesn't address this issue properly, and promptly, they will end up shooting themselves in the foot as they are actually planning to release a ridiculous amount of indie titles per week, in the near future.
In a recent shareholders meeting, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima was asked about the integration of indie games regarding future business strategies, given that these titles have become a hot topic in recent years. Mr. Kimishima replied by saying that their main focus as a company is to keep offering enjoyable first-party titles, but they also want to increase the number of people who make games that are to be played on Nintendo platforms.
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That is why we are working to create an environment that makes development easier, and simplifying the process of publishing games on Nintendo Switch. This has resulted in a large number of people playing an array of indie games on Nintendo Switch", said Kimishima, which makes a lot of sense because they keep in mind that independent developers are finding it easier to develop titles for the Switch and they are benefitting from this, as well.
Senior Executive Officer, Susumu Tanaka, also comments by saying that they are actively engaging with independent developers with events and video game-focused shows—such as their very own Nindies, in which they spotlight some of the hottest indie titles coming to their consoles.
"Some of the indie games already released have gone on to become million sellers worldwide. In the future, we are looking to release around 20 to 30 indie games on Nintendo Switch per week, and we definitely expect to see some great games among them", added Tanaka, to what Mr. Kimishima adds that they are "currently working towards reaching 1,500 software titles developed for Nintendo platforms".
While this looks great on paper, the reality is that 20 to 30 indie titles per week is quite risky if not handled properly. Without a proper rating system, and no quality control from Nintendo, users could end up completely disregarding indie titles as they flood the Nintendo eShop, making it less of a profitable strategy than Nintendo may be anticipating. Quantity doesn't always mean quality and hopefully Nintendo sees this as a potential problem before it's too late.