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Forums - Nintendo - Investigating Game-Keycards

Nintendo has begun to look into why games that are being put on the Game-Keycards have not been meeting sales expectations.  A 3 question survey is being sent out to Japanese gamers.  Hopefully they decide to look outside of Japan as well.  

1. Prior to this survey, were you aware that there is a type of Game Card called “Game-Key Card” among the different types of Nintendo Switch 2 physical releases?

A: I own Game-Key Cards

B: I don’t own Game-Key Cards, but I am aware of them

C: I didn’t know about Game-Key Cards

2. Are you aware of these particular features about Game-Key Cards? Please tick everything that you know.

A: After downloading the game data, you can start the game even without connecting to the internet

B: You are required to connect to the internet to download the game data when you insert and use a new Game-Key Card for the first time

C: In order to download the game data, you need free memory space on a microSD Express card or the internal storage

D: You can also download game data on another system by simply inserting the Game-Key Card

E: You are required to have the Game-Key Card inserted in the system in order to start and play the game

F: I don’t know any of them

3. After reading the explanations above, if there is a Game-Key Card and a digital release for a game that you wish to buy, which will you choose? Please select the option that aligns with your thinking.

A: I will try to buy the Game-Key Card as much as possible

B: If anything, I’d say I’ll go with the Game-Key Card

C: Can’t say which (not sure)

D: If anything, I’d say I’ll go with the digital version

E: I will try to buy the digital version as much as possible

Hopefully there is enough discourse to get more size format options and easier paths to put whole games onto the cartridges.  



...to avoid getting banned for inactivity, I may have to resort to comments that are of a lower overall quality and or beneath my moral standards.

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DroidKnight said:

3. After reading the explanations above, if there is a Game-Key Card and a digital release for a game that you wish to buy, which will you choose? Please select the option that aligns with your thinking.

A: I will try to buy the Game-Key Card as much as possible

B: If anything, I’d say I’ll go with the Game-Key Card

C: Can’t say which (not sure)

D: If anything, I’d say I’ll go with the digital version

E: I will try to buy the digital version as much as possible 

F: I'll buy it on a console that offers a real version of the game. 



Good on the company for supporting a survey, I guess, but what the hell? It wasn't patently obvious why Game-Key Cards were set up to fail from the beginning? They're an encumbrance for consumers who prefer digital, and they're an insult to consumers who prefer physical media. They're a half measure that satisfies no one.



Doesnt seem to be about regular physical media. Just Game-Key Cards vs Digital.



Question 3 is unfair. It should have an F option that reads "I won't choose either because I want physical games."

In the bigger picture, I doubt anyone is surprised that game-key card games are selling below expectations because we all know the reason why that is. I don't think Nintendo is surprised either, so the point of this survey is to have some data to show to third parties why it makes sense to produce physical games. After all, Nintendo themselves won't use game-key cards at all because they know how important physical games are.



Legend11 correctly predicted that GTA IV will outsell Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I was wrong.

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Pretty much pointless.

People who are full digital will never buy this because they dont want to carry any additional physical items

People who are full physical will never buy this because its basically a empty cartridge you put in the system and then download the game like a digital game.



Game Key Cards are just e-waste.

If I am buying physical, I want the game physically... Not digitally.

I will not buy a single "Code in a box" or "Game Key Card".



--::{PC Gaming Master Race}::--

Why would people buy fake physical media? If you buy physical, you own at least a decently playable copy of the game, but the game is often more expensive. If you buy digital, you have the convenience of portability while also accessing better deals (in theory, anyway), but you pretty much own a license and that's it. Why chose an option that combines the worse qualities of physical and digital?



You know it deserves the GOTY.

Come join The 2018 Obscure Game Monthly Review Thread.

Because of these, I have decided my S2 will be 100% a first party machine. If they decide to offer smaller carts to developers, and the situation changes, I might alter my plans.



JackHandy said:

Because of these, I have decided my S2 will be 100% a first party machine. If they decide to offer smaller carts to developers, and the situation changes, I might alter my plans.

Mine will be a mostly 1st party machine, but will add 2nd and 3rd party JRPG's that are fully carted. 



...to avoid getting banned for inactivity, I may have to resort to comments that are of a lower overall quality and or beneath my moral standards.