Key Takeaways
1. Limited RAM on the first-gen Switch forced developers to compress game files and textures significantly.
2. The low-spec CPU resulted in longer loading screens when optimizing for preloaded textures, or performance drops when handling additional tasks.
3. Developers had to lower target resolutions for games, often aiming for 540p to 720p instead of the typical 1440p or 4K.
4. There’s excitement among developers for the Switch 2, with hopes of better porting capabilities for games from newer consoles.
5. Rumored specifications for the Switch 2 include 12 GB of RAM and improved CPU/GPU performance, which could enhance game development and performance.
The challenges faced when adapting games for the first-gen Switch hardware stemmed largely from its limited capabilities across the board. Developers noted that the RAM was only half of what more robust competitors had, forcing them to compress game files and textures “to the limit” in order to conserve memory. Similarly, the low-spec CPU meant developers had a choice: they could either spend considerable time optimizing their games to preload textures and environments, which led to longer loading screens, or they could let the already-busy CPU handle additional background tasks, which caused a drop in performance.
Developer Insights
“We had to squeeze textures as much as we could to save on memory, but the downside was that for every memory bit we freed, the game looked better. It was kinda like solving a puzzle, and honestly, it was fun,” shared one developer who spoke to Automaton.
Resolution Challenges
The Switch’s somewhat underwhelming GPU meant that developers had to significantly lower their target resolutions—from 1440p and 4K, typical for the latest consoles, to about 540p to 720p for Switch adaptations. Often, the resolution aimed for in these ports was only 25% of the Switch’s own native 720p display.
Looking Forward
When asked about their hopes for the Switch 2, developers expressed enthusiasm about being able to port more games, particularly those made for newer consoles like the Xbox Series X (priced at $499.99 on Amazon) and PlayStation 5 (also $499.99 on Amazon). Although Nintendo has not yet disclosed precise details about the Switch 2’s specifications, rumors suggest that the new console may come with around 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an 8 nm SoC, which would greatly enhance both CPU and GPU performance. This advancement could facilitate the development and operation of both native Switch games and game ports.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply