You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Former Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry lead Alex Hutchinson has commented on Nintendo’s new direction with physical media: Game Key Cards. In an interview for his new game Revenge of the Savage Planet, which launches on May 8, Hutchinson explained that Nintendo’s new option for physical media is losing a “bit of what made the business special”. Over decades of game development, Hutchinson has always been a supporter of physical media. Out interview, which took place over a video call, was adorned with a backdrop of shelves filled with games, books and other physical goodies, and the iconic game designer loves that. Nintendo will “get away with” Game Key Cards While not all physical releases for the Nintendo Switch 2 are Game Key Cards, a number of releases are. These cartridges hold a license to download a game without any data on the actually chip itself while also allowing players to trade and even resell them. While better than a one-use code-in-a-box, the system is eerily similar to what Microsoft attempted to do with the Xbox One back in 2013. “It’s funny that Nintendo is going to get away with it,” Hutchinson said. “It just shows you the power of nostalgia in our business that the way they will beat up Microsoft versus Nintendo is just not the same, especially in Europe. It’s like, ‘oh, Nintendo’s doing it, alright we’re not gonna say much.’” “I hate it,” the developer said. “I think it’s sort of lame. I don’t know, I just feel like it’s getting away… we’re losing some of what made the business special. Trading Game Boy cartridges at school, or, you know, DS for the modern audience. There’s something nice about that.” “I hate it. I think it’s sort of lame.”REVENGE OF THE SAVAGE PLANET LEAD ALEX HUTCHINSON ON SWITCH 2 GAME KEY CARDS While the former Assassin’s Creed developer doesn’t enjoy the idea of Game Key Cards, he sees the appeal of digital downloads. As someone who has released—and will continue to release—games both physically and digitally, the convenience is great, but as a self-confessed “Luddite”, there’s still an urge to own a physical version of something he really likes. For Revenge of the Savage Planet, Hutchinson is releasing the game physically via publisher Maximum, and the creator hopes he can continue to make physical versions of his games for years to come, although he admits that the future may rest in the hands of specialists like Limited Run Games, Numskull or Lost in Cult. For more on Revenge of the Savage Planet, read about the lead’s thoughts on why bringing back split-screen was important. Revenge of the Savage Planet Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X Genre(s): Action Adventure Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share