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Payday 2 On Switch Is A Year Behind Other Versions In Content
On the Payday subreddit, fans have been investigating streaming videos of the Switch version of Payday 2 and have come to the conclusion that the Switch version is massively out of date compared to the other versions of the game.
The Switch version of Payday 2 is fast approaching, but surprisingly little footage or information of the game has been released. When a copy of the game leaked out early and began to hit gaming streaming channels, fans of the game were obviously quick to pore over every detail, and have determined that the Switch version was missing a number of the latest updates. Analysis of the footage placed the Switch version at Update 117, compared to the PC versions 172.
Update 117 was released in October 2016.
While Starbreeze has confirmed to Polygon that the Switch version is the furthest behind and confirmed the video analysis, they tried to explain their reasoning, and believe it will catch up before too long.
“The reasoning for the Switch content: we’re making continuous updates to a game that’s turning 5 years old this year, and to get the game out in early 2018 on Switch meant that our team had to go with the content ported and available at the time of console submission,” Starbreeze told Polygon. “The PS4 and Xbox One versions are now almost up to par with PC content, and Switch is close behind those versions. There are future content updates planned for Switch, as well.”
The subreddit, however, has more or less convinced themselves that Starbreeze's commitment to updating the Switch is unlikely to bear fruit. In a larger thread about the subject compiling all the news and evidence so far, the frustrated thread creator vents about the value proposition of the game. "I really wanted to buy PAYDAY on the Switch just to play solo on-the-go," the poster wrote. "I really honestly still do, but I'm going to force myself not to because this is bulls**t. Not counting sales, PAYDAY 2 Ultimate Edition on Steam costs $45 USD. PAYDAY 2 for Nintendo Switch costs $50 USD. Why are we paying $5 more for an outdated version of the game with less content? So I can play it on-the-go and think to myself, 'wow, I really wish I was playing the full version right now'?"
Payday 2 on the Switch is releasing February 27.
Our Take
I hope Starbreeze and Overkill commit to getting the Switch version updated, but I suspect that even a completely up-to-date version will lack all the online features necessary for fans of games like Payday 2. We'll see in a week or so, but I think skepticism about how committed the publisher and developer are to the Switch version is warranted.
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