Nintendo Is Changing the Way Digital Games Work

Nintendo is overhauling How do digital downloads work Nintendo switch And Switch 2 It is calling the “Virtual Game Card” with a new feature. Virtual Game Cards, which on Thursday, during the Nintendo Direct Livestream, said that the company would launch in late April, designed to better duplicate the flexibility of physical games.

It works like this: After purchasing a digital version of a game, the virtual card is loaded on the player’s switch. Players can load or “eject” these game cards; With the help of two systems, a player can figure out a game on a system and to play from that handheld it can load it on another. Although players will need local connection to do this, it allows them to change multiple games between their quick systems.

The feature can fundamentally change landscapes for digitally downloaded games, which have become increasingly popular for the past several years because the brick-and-mortar retailers have closed and physical copys have become less important to some players. Digital copies provide a quick, easy way to get a new game, until players have internet connection. However, ownership of a digital game is much more vulnerable than physical media. Organizations could Remove digital games From the storefront at any time, and there is no fun secondary market for collectors. It is not possible to give it a loan without re -selling a digital game or sharing the account details.

What Nintendo is doing with virtual game cards gives some flexibility in the last point. Virtual cards can be given to other players through local connection to family groups, which combine a number of nintendo accounts. However, only one game can be divided between two at a time for two weeks. It is not clear whether a game has been leased whether it is still playing by the original owner. The wired has reached Nintendo for precision and will be updated accordingly.

The production and sales of physical games and consoles stand in favor of widespread injuries in the United States if President Trump follows the proposed tariffs in Canada, China and Mexico, where many video games are made of components. Recruitment Software Association published A statement in February Warning that “Video Games will negatively affect a few million Americans and damage the industry’s significant contribution to the US economy.” Both of the tariffs can raise prices and reduce availability for physical game products, making digital games more attractive to customers.

Although Nintendo shared a lot about virtual game cards during Thursday event, no news shared about it Switch 2The Another nintendo focusing on the new console is directly planned for April 2. The company gave a short look Metroid Prime 4: BeyondWhich will give its heroine Samas mysterious new physical ability. The game is still expected this year, though it is possible that the date of the scene first will be announced along with Switch 2 News next week.