Creating games for devices like the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam Deck can pose challenges for developers due to the hardware limitations these systems have, especially when compared to consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Despite these challenges, developers like Hello Games, the team behind No Man’s Sky, are dedicated to updating their games and overcoming the memory constraints these platforms present.
No Man’s Sky Engine Programmer Martin Griffiths shared, “Platforms like Switch 1 and 2, as well as Steam Deck, require a significant amount of engineering time for each update we release. At Hello Games, we invest 2-3 times more effort to ensure these updates run smoothly, just like they do on other consoles and PC/Mac.”
One of the main challenges developers face when supporting evolving games on these platforms is, as mentioned earlier, memory constraints. Griffiths added, “It’s truly rewarding to continuously overcome challenging memory limitations to allow players to enjoy No Man’s Sky to the fullest.”
Memory constraints have long been a significant obstacle for game developers. Even with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Xbox Series S, with its 10 GB of RAM, remains the current-generation console with the least available RAM, posing ongoing challenges for developers. For instance, the limited available RAM and the parity clause were factors in the delayed launch of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox systems, as the console struggled to support the game’s split-screen multiplayer mode effectively.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been reporting on video games and technology since 2012, starting his career with outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack.
After joining Wccftech’s gaming section in 2015, he expanded his coverage with detailed reports, interviews with industry figures like Goichi “Suda51” Suda, Shinji Mikami, Fumihiko Yasuda, and Keiichiro Toyama, as well as reviews and coverage of major events like Gamescom and E3.
When not reporting or reviewing, Francesco enjoys playing his favorite genres, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, and playing guitar and drums for his progressive rock band.
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