Digital Extremes wants to bring Warframe to Switch 2, but it can’t get a dev kit

Nintendo has a “backlog” of Switch 2 dev kits, and it’s preventing developers from bringing their games to the platform

Digital Extremes CEO, Steve Sinclair (as reported by Eurogamer), has confirmed that the company plans to bring Warframe to Switch 2. However, Nintendo is preventing the studio from taking advantage of its new hardware.

Nintendo currently has a “backlog” of Switch 2 dev kits. A larger number of developers want to bring their games to Switch 2, but Nintendo doesn’t have enough development hardware to meet demand. Digital Extremes does not have a Switch 2 development kit, and that is preventing the company from bringing Warframe to the platform.

Nintendo has reportedly been slow to release development kits for Switch 2, angering many 3rd party studios. Nintendo has allegedly prioritised the production of consumer Switch 2 units, minimising consumer shortages at the cost of angering developers. Over time, this tactic may backfire, as it prevents third-party developers from creating Switch 2 games. This could lower long-term demand for the console.

Digital Extremes is keen to release a bespoke Switch 2 version of Warframe. While the original Switch version works through backwards compatibility, the studio wants to utilise the Switch 2’s full potential. To do that, the studio needs a Switch 2 development kit.

Hopefully, Nintendo will soon be able to address its dev kit shortage. Clearly, Nintendo prioritised giving development kits to large publishers ahead of launch. This enabled the early release of Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and other major AAA titles.

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