While many game developers, big or small, have supported the Nintendo Switch since its launch, EA is one of those big names that hasn’t shown the same support as its triple-A peers. EA CEO Andrew Wilson gave an explanation to why support for Nintendo’s latest console is sparse. Essentially, the Nintendo Switch is not the preferred console for EA’s games.
According to IGN, during EA’s first-quarter earnings call, an analyst mentioned the possibility of bringing The Sims to Nintendo Switch. Wilson disagreed with the sentiment, as well as gave a general explanation on how EA chooses platforms for any given game.
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“Any time we’re evaluating platform conversations, we’re really looking at a couple of things,” says Wilson. “One, does the game really fit the profile of that platform in terms of the control or the community ecosystem? Two, do we think the community playing on that platform would appreciate the game and go there, or would they prefer to play it elsewhere?”
In regards to the second question, it turns out people would rather play on other platforms than on the Nintendo Switch. According to data procured by EA, there are a lot of Switch owners who have access to other platforms and, more often than not, go to those platforms to play EA games.
“We have a lot of data that would suggest a great many Switch owners also own a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One or a PC,” says Wilson, “and very often choose to play the games that we make on those platforms, even though they have a Switch and they enjoy a lot of great content on the Switch.”
Despite his statements, Wilson does admit that there is a possibility that The Sims could find its way to the Nintendo Switch saying, “I wouldn’t say that The Sims would never go to Switch.” While it isn’t in the pipeline right now, there is a chance we can see the popular series make it to the Switch.
