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In 2023, the gaming industry faced market instability, leading to reduced investments. And now we see game developers seeking reliable avenues to augment revenue streams. The smartest strategy that stands out here is porting games that are already successful titles to alternative platforms.
Choosing the right platform for game porting requires knowing what players like and how they spend money. The Nintendo Switch is loved because it fits how players want to play games nowadays. People like things that are easy and can change. The Switch is really good at this – you can play whenever and wherever. Its notable sales of 129.5 million units over the last years show how much people like it. At the moment Switch is the third best-selling game console in history, and its popularity continues to grow.
In this article, we’ll figure out why it’s smart now for game developers and publishers to port games to the Nintendo Switch. We’ll have a look at the unique advantages of game porting from Unreal Engine and Unity to Switch and talk about the steps to make a game fit well on it. So you can join in on this trend to reach more players and make games that fit how people live and play today.
5 Reasons to Port Your Unity/Unreal Engine Game to Nintendo Switch
We have at least five compelling reasons why porting your game to the Nintendo Switch could be a smart strategic move for your title’s success.
1. Treasures of a giant market
Year after year, Nintendo Switch has achieved remarkable sales figures, offering developers a significant opportunity to tap into its extensive user base. The Nintendo eShop Platform expands the avenues for additional income for your game title. Furthermore, a lot of top-selling games on this platform are crafted by third-party developers.
Image credit: switchscores.com
2. Players choose the options
Now, players get to decide where they want to play. It’s not about the gaming device anymore; it’s about what feels comfortable. Families can gather around the TV for multiplayer fun, while travelers can dive into immersive worlds during their journeys, or people can continue playing their favorite games just on their route for studies or during a coffee break at work. The Switch’s ability to adapt to various gaming scenarios has played a pivotal role in its widespread appeal.
And now people are used to having several different devices for playing games. The gaming world has become more flexible than ever, so it’s a good idea (or even a necessity) to make your game flexible too.
3. Unity/Unreal Engine optimized performance makes it much easier
Unity and Unreal Engine have tailored their features and optimizations to cater to the Nintendo Switch’s hardware specifications. Yes, it means that it’s simpler for you to port your existing Unity/Unreal Engine game to a Nintendo platform successfully!
What does this optimization include? Improving graphics rendering, memory management, and performance optimization. This ensures that games built using Unity and Unreal Engine can take full advantage of the Switch’s capabilities without sacrificing quality or smooth gameplay.
Unity’s development tools have also integrated support for the unique features of the Switch, such as its Joy-Con controllers and touchscreen, allowing developers to create more immersive and engaging experiences.
Unreal Engine provides resources and documentation specific to Nintendo Switch development, aiding developers in creating high-quality games for the platform.
Both Unity and Unreal Engine have gotten better to make game development easier and more successful on the Nintendo Switch. This means that you can now make games that players will enjoy a lot on the Switch.
4. Growth potential
When you port your title to the Nintendo Switch, it can make your game last even longer. Ongoing updates, DLCs, and improvements will keep players engaged over time, fostering a loyal player community. The success of your game on the Nintendo Switch gives opportunities for sequels, spin-offs, or related projects that continue to grow your brand and game portfolio.
The growth potential extends beyond immediate sales. It involves establishing a foothold in a vibrant gaming ecosystem, connecting with a new player base, and positioning your game for sustained success in a dynamic and ever-expanding industry.
5. Building a loyal fan base
Nintendo has fostered a vibrant community of gamers. Porting your game to the Switch allows you to engage with this community, receive valuable feedback, and potentially build a loyal fan base.
You may collaborate with Nintendo Switch influencers or streamers to showcase your game. Their endorsement will introduce your game to a broader audience. Building relationships, delivering quality content, and fostering a sense of community will contribute to the long-term success of your title on the Nintendo platform.
What Are the Challenging Aspects of Porting Unity/Unreal Engine Games to the Nintendo Switch?
Porting for the Switch involves making strategic choices about what to cut, modify, and keep while adjusting. This process is vital due to the platform’s limitations. But with careful planning and expertise, these challenges can be smoothly overcome, so these are not unsolvable tasks.
The most important aspects of Unity/Unreal Engine game porting to Switch are:
1. CPU/GPU Performance
You need to aim for stable frame rates to provide smooth and responsive gameplay. Generally, targeting 30 frames per second (fps) is a common goal to maintain consistent performance.
However, more visually demanding games might aim for a stable 30 fps, while less demanding titles might achieve 60 fps. Consistency is key to preventing frame rate drops during intense gameplay moments.
2. Memory Usage
The Nintendo Switch’s 3.17 GB memory limit determines memory usage optimization. Ensure that the game runs without memory-related crashes or slowdowns. We need to keep in mind that the Switch has a limited amount of RAM available, so efficient memory management is crucial. That means we’re taking down VFX and textures.
Games made using Unity/Unreal Engine have such a significant edge in this regard, as the Engine enables modification and optimization.
3. Rendering Quality
We need to adjust the rendering quality to balance visual fidelity with performance. The Nintendo Switch’s hardware is capable, but it’s essential to optimize textures, shaders, and other graphical elements to ensure a smooth experience. Visual compromises may need to be made while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic.
4. Resolution
It’s important to consider the resolution at which the game will be displayed on the Nintendo Switch’s screen, both in handheld and docked modes. Balancing resolution with performance is crucial for delivering a visually pleasing gaming experience.
5. Special Features
Leverage the Nintendo Switch’s unique features, such as touchscreen controls and Joy-Con functionality, to enhance gameplay. Ensure that these features are seamlessly integrated and contribute positively to the player experience.
Ultimately, the performance benchmarks you aim for will depend on the nature of your Unity/Unreal Engine game and the level of optimization you can achieve. Collaborating with experienced developers and utilizing the tools provided by Unity and Unreal Engine are the keys to fine-tuning your game to meet the performance expectations of the Nintendo Switch platform.
Why Game Porting Outsourcing Is a Common Practice?
Game developers and publishers often choose to get help from external professionals when they want to bring their game to a new platform. This way, you can save money and make things happen faster. It lets the main team focus on making new games, while a skilled group helps the game work really well on the new platform. And it’s awesome to have a team that not only does the job but also gives helpful tips from their previous experiences.
The secret to a successful porting to Nintendo Switch with Walla Walla Studio lies in each team member’s thorough understanding of why players enjoy this specific game and what attracts them to the new platform. We delve into the details to convert our knowledge into a well-defined action plan for our partners. This alignment of expectations and shared definitions of success offers complete transparency and control throughout every phase of the project.
How Walla Walla Studio Ports a Game to the Nintendo Switch?
By entrusting game porting to us, you don’t need to worry about anything because the workflow and communication processes are already well-thought-out and established in our studio’s practice.
1. Communication process
Establishing a transparent communication framework is the foundation of any project. It allows partners to have confidence and peace of mind while ensuring that the results are delivered punctually and within the pre-defined budget.
Prior to starting any game porting project, we collaborate with our clients to establish the frequency, methods, and modes of communication, with the goal of offering a personalized, cooperative, and amicable experience.
2. Assessment and Planning
We will evaluate your game’s technical requirements and assets to understand the scope of the porting project. It’s important to start by creating a detailed plan outlining the porting process, including timelines, resources, and milestones.
3. SDK Integration
We integrate the Nintendo Switch Software Development Kit (SDK) into your Unity/Unreal Engine development environment and ensure that the game can run on the Nintendo Switch hardware.
4. Optimization
Here we optimize your game game assets, including textures, models, and shaders, to fit within the Switch’s memory and performance constraints. Then we adjust rendering settings and effects to maintain a stable frame rate and visual quality.
5. Controls and Input
At this stage, we will adapt the game’s control schemes to work seamlessly with the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, touchscreen, and other input methods. Then we’ll ensure that the user interface (UI) is suitable for both handheld and docked modes.
6. Performance Testing
Conducting performance testing is a must to identify and address frame rate issues, crashes, or other technical problems. We test the game in various scenarios, including high-intensity gameplay, to ensure stability.
7. Debugging and QA
We’ll debug and fix any issues discovered during testing. Our professionals engage in quality assurance (QA) testing to identify and address gameplay, UI, and functionality issues specific to the Nintendo Switch.
8. Certification Process
The game needs to be prepared for certification by Nintendo. We’ll follow Nintendo’s certification requirements, which may include compliance with hardware and software standards, and fix any issues raised during the certification process.
9. Performance Optimization (Continued)
This stage is continuous. We optimize the game based on QA and certification feedback and fine-tune performance to meet Nintendo’s requirements and player expectations.
10. Testing on Hardware
Finally, we are testing the game on actual Nintendo Switch hardware to validate performance and functionality.
11. Launch and Post-Launch Support
The last step is the release of your game on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Being a reliable partner, Walla Walla Studio monitors player feedback and takes over any post-launch issues or updates.
Also, we will continue to provide updates, patches, and additional content if needed to keep players engaged and ensure the game remains compatible with platform updates.
Get in touch with Walla Walla Studio, and allow us to handle the porting of your game to Nintendo Switch. We’ll address all your inquiries and tailor a budget that suits your requirements, with no obligation. Feel free to reach out to us via email or complete our contact form. Together we’ll make it possible for your players to enjoy your game wherever and whenever they desire.
Summing up
Making a successful port to the Switch, which works well with the hybrid console’s features and delivers strong performance, can be quite challenging. This is particularly true if you lack both development kits and prior experience with this platform.
If you’re determined not to let these aspects stop you from launching your game on the currently most successful console, thereby boosting your sales, consider relying on a trusted outsourcing partner like Walla Walla Studio.
