The upcoming successor to the Nintendo Switch, whether it's officially called the Nintendo Switch 2 or not, has been the subject of numerous rumors and speculations within the gaming industry. While the exact release date of the next Nintendo console remains uncertain, there have been indications that it could potentially launch next year. Recently, alleged leaks of the console's specifications emerged, purportedly originating from an email exchange between Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision, and Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa.
These leaked files came to light during Microsoft's legal battle with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission regarding their proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. As a result, confidential information that would typically remain undisclosed has surfaced online. The email exchange between Kotick and Furukawa discussed Activision's potential support for the upcoming Nintendo console. According to Kotick's remarks in the email, the next Nintendo console is expected to possess capabilities similar to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, representing an upgrade over the current Switch system but falling short of the cutting-edge technology seen in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
"Considering the closer alignment between the eighth-generation platforms and our previous offerings on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it's reasonable to assume we can create something compelling for the upcoming generation of Nintendo Switch as well," stated the email from Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision.
What makes this email intriguing, and leaves Nintendo fans hoping for a more powerful next-generation console, is that during Kotick's live testimony for the aforementioned legal case, he contradicted himself by stating that he was unaware of the specifications of the next Nintendo console. This apparent inconsistency raises the possibility that when Kotick made those remarks to Furukawa, they were merely hypothetical in nature. While this is a plausible explanation, it remains peculiar if true.
"I actually think it's likely that we will develop a Call of Duty game for a new Nintendo console," stated Kotick during his testimony. "I cannot confirm specific plans at this time, but it's something we would consider. Once we have access to the console's specifications, we can evaluate the feasibility. We missed the opportunity to release a game for the previous generation of the Nintendo Switch, but we would need to wait for the specifications of the new console. Currently, we do not have any concrete plans in place."
Lying under oath is illegal, and therefore Kotick's statements in court are expected to be truthful. However, the intention behind his email remains unclear. At the very least, Kotick and Activision either believe or have the impression that the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor will have similar power to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. If this is not the case, it is uncertain why Kotick mentioned it in the email, unless it was meant to set certain expectations. Regardless, if the next Nintendo console falls short of the power offered by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, it could be seen as disappointing.
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