Internal emails reveal that Activision was briefed on Nintendo Switch 2 last year, similar to PS4/Xbox One in performance

[John Elden Ring]

Activision executives met with Nintendo in December to discuss plans for a next-generation Switch, which is described as closer to PS4 / Xbox One performance.

Now we know that Activision was briefed on a next-generation Nintendo Switch last year, thanks to internal emails from the FTC v. Microsoft case.

Activision executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick, met with Nintendo executives in December 2022 to discuss a next-generation Switch. In an internal email chain, Chris Schnakenberg, head of Activision’s platform strategy and partner relations, prepared a summary of the “Switch NG” (Switch next-generation) inside a document labeled “NG Switch Draft.pdf.”

The document is heavily redacted, but it does reveal that performance of the next-generation Switch will be close to that of the PS4 and Xbox One:

Given the closer alignment to Gen8 platforms in terms of performance and our previous offerings on PS4 / Xbox One, it is reasonable to assume we could make something compelling for the NG Switch as well. It would be helpful to secure early access to development hardware prototypes and prove that out nice and early.

Activision internal emails about the next-generation Nintendo Switch. Image: US Courts

The executive briefing summary and preparation materials were then sent on to Kotick ahead of the December 15th meeting with Nintendo CEO and president Shuntaro Furukawa. Kotick went on to testify in the FTC v. Microsoft hearing that he regretted not bringing Call of Duty to the Switch. This led to questioning from both the FTC’s lawyers and Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley about Call of Duty on the Switch. The FTC revealed that the agreement Microsoft signed with Nintendo also purports to bring a future Call of Duty game to a future Nintendo console if Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal is approved by regulators.

FTC: So even without Microsoft buying Activision, it’s likely that Activision would on its own make Call of Duty available for Nintendo’s future console, right?
Kotick: We would consider it once we had the specs, but we don’t have them at present. We missed out on the opportunity for this past generation of Switch, but we’d have to wait until the specifications. We don’t have any present plans to do so.
FTC: It’s likely that Activision on its own would make a Call of Duty game for Nintendo’s future generation console, right?
Kotick: I think once we get the detailed specifications. We missed out on this past generation of Switch, so I’d like to think that we’d be able to do that. We’d have to wait until the specifications, but we don’t have any present plans to do so.

 

[Bryank75]

Well, it wasn't gonna be anywhere near PS5 and anyone that thought so was fooling themselves.

PS4 or just below that was about what I was guessing, it's not that it couldn't go higher, it's about power consumption in a portable device at higher settings.

 

[Snes nes]

I must say I've grown quite accustomed to my delicate pair of joycons drifting like a bottle in the ocean. Perhaps nintendo will remedy this issue in switch 2.

 

[Bryank75]

I must say I've grown quite accustomed to my delicate pair of joycons drifting like a bottle in the ocean. Perhaps nintendo will remedy this issue in switch 2.

Hall effect sticks? That would be nice...

 

[Would_you_kindly]

Has their been any actual current gen Activision games I know cod definitely isn't because this year's is crossgen again & that won't be changing anytime soon since Microsoft has promised Nintendo that it will get all future cods on the device (unless it's cloud )

 

[Entropi]

PS4 specs with a way better CPU and more efficient gpu architecture would be great, I think.

 

[ethomaz]

That is where I'm sitting too... around PS4 power docked.

 

[Snes nes]

Hall effect sticks? That would be nice...

Would it be weird if i were to tell you I didn't know about hall effect joysticks?

 

[flaccidsnake]

Xbox One was measurably weaker than PS4, and Switch 2 will be less powerful still.

 

[Entropi]

 

[Entropi]

Nintendo is in grave danger

 

[Gods&Monsters]

That is disgusting. I hope it blows up and the media talks about this but they probably won't.

Nintendo and Valve are so stupid siding with Microsoft. I just don't understand these dumb companies.

 

[Zzero]

That is disgusting. I hope it blows up and the media talks about this but they probably won't.

Nintendo and Valve are so stupid siding with Microsoft. I just don't understand these dumb companies.

Why is it disgusting? I'm glad its pretty much impossible, as the e-mail said, but I think any smart human being would want to own either or both of those two, they're great, smart buys with amazing histories (especially Nintendo, while Valve's legacy is much more the ecosystem than it is their own good but small library of developed games.)

FWIW: I think they'd mismanage Nintendo into the ground and all of the talent would leave as soon as their stock options vest.

 

[Banana]

Xbox One was measurably weaker than PS4, and Switch 2 will be less powerful still.

With switch being ampere based, meaning dlss, it should compete nicely with series and ps5.

 

[Banana]

That is disgusting. I hope it blows up and the media talks about this but they probably won't.

Nintendo and Valve are so stupid siding with Microsoft. I just don't understand these dumb companies.

They'll never get nintendo.

If they get valve, the nice thing about PC is we can just go elsewhere after they run steam into the ground.

 

[Gods&Monsters]

Why is it disgusting? I'm glad its pretty much impossible, as the e-mail said, but I think any smart human being would want to own either or both of those two, they're great, smart buys with amazing histories (especially Nintendo, while Valve's legacy is much more the ecosystem than it is their own good but small library of developed games.)

How about we stop fantasizing about MS buying everything because they are "great buys"

 

[Zzero]

They'll never get nintendo.

If they get valve, the nice thing about PC is we can just go elsewhere after they run steam into the ground.

They'll never get either for anti-trust reasons. There are, being generous, six competitors to Xbox/Gamepass and these are two of them.

 

[anonpuffs]

Nintendo is in grave danger

lmao no they aren't, phil is delusional if he thinks ninty will sell to ms

 

[Entropi]

lmao no they aren't, phil is delusional if he thinks ninty will sell to ms

I truly truly hope so.

 

[Kokoloko]

Why is it disgusting? I'm glad its pretty much impossible, as the e-mail said, but I think any smart human being would want to own either or both of those two, they're great, smart buys with amazing histories (especially Nintendo, while Valve's legacy is much more the ecosystem than it is their own good but small library of developed games.)

FWIW: I think they'd mismanage Nintendo into the ground and all of the talent would leave as soon as their stock options vest.

It just cringe and gross seeing Phil making comments like its gonna take time for Nintendo to see there future… Or we are playing the long game.
Its slimey af and only an Xbox dummie would support someone like that.
Guy cant handle Xbox but want to own everything else and thinking whats good for them