🕹️ Switch Successor?

We’re thrilled that the Xbox community will join the Warriors of Light. – Phil Spencer

Do we need a new Nintendo Switch console in 2024? Developers and analysts are debating on this. However, predicting Nintendo's actions it’s very challenging, due to the company's history of unpredictability.

Round-up of the day

You can now pre-order Spider-Man 2 PS5 consoles, with Venom faceplates and a dedicated DualSense controller. However, you should avoid scalpers. (link)

Phil Spencer, Microsoft's Gaming CEO, announces Final Fantasy XIV's arrival on Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2024, expressing enthusiasm for a closer partnership with Square Enix on future games. (link)

Even though Starfield has not yet been released, a team of modders is already in the planning stages of a significant patch aimed at enhancing the game. (link)

Biz Reel

China has fully lifted its 15-year ban on console manufacture and sale, allowing console companies to expand beyond the previous limitations of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. However, the appeal of consoles in a market dominated by free-to-play PC games and mobile gaming remains uncertain (link)

The mobile app industry witnessed a revenue of $67.5 billion in H1 2023, showing a 5.3% YoY increase, with gaming apps contributing $40.9 billion and 76.8 billion apps downloaded globally across both Apple and Google Play ecosystems. (link)

The German Games Industry Association reports a 15.5% increase in game companies and a 7% rise in related employment compared to last year, attributing the growth largely to small studio startups. (link)

Game Central

The main storyline of Assassin's Creed Mirage is estimated to last between 20 to 23 hours, according to Ubisoft's lead producer, Fabian Salomon. The playtime could extend to 25-30 hours for completionists. That is almost 5 times smaller than Valhalla - 143 hours for 100% completion. (link)

Highly anticipated RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to launch worldwide, for PC, on August 3. A month later, on September 6, it will launch for PS5. Xbox Series X/S versions are also in the works, as studio is facing difficulties in trying to get the co-op experience properly optimized for the weaker hardware of Xbox Series S. (link)

The new expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, Dawntrail, has been announced and is slated for release in the summer of 2024. (link)

Spotlight

Rumors have been circulating about a potential successor to the Nintendo Switch, with suggestions it might launch in 2024.

Developers and analysts are divided on whether Nintendo needs to release a new console at this point.

Some developers feel the current Switch, with its large install base and suitability for less technologically demanding games, could continue successfully until 2025 or later.

Others, working on more technically complex projects, suggest the Switch is lagging and the release of a more powerful console is needed.

From a financial perspective, analysts have mixed views.

You can read more about it on IGN.

Did you know?

The shortest Assassin’s Creed game ever, in terms of hours needed to complete the story, was Freedom Cry.

Originally released in December 2013 as a DLC for Black Flag, Freedom Cry would be released as a standalone title on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on February 18, 2014.

The story takes about 6 hours – 7 for completionists.