Former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of recent Switch 2 leaks, highlighting significant internal disruption and the compromised element of surprise for fans. The leaks, encompassing purported release dates, game titles, device mockups, and even motherboard and Joy-Con images, have reportedly caused considerable upset within Nintendo.
Former PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, in a YouTube video, detailed the likely internal fallout. Yang described the situation as "a highly chaotic situation...a real pressure cooker," emphasizing the added stress of leak investigations on top of regular workload. Ellis confirmed that Nintendo's internal investigations are underway, stating, "They will eventually get to the bottom of it."
The leaks have undeniably impacted Nintendo's ability to generate excitement through a carefully orchestrated reveal. Ellis noted that the leaks are changing how the official announcement will be perceived. Both Ellis and Yang firmly dismissed speculation that Nintendo orchestrated the leaks themselves, emphasizing the company's strong emphasis on the "value of surprise."
The extensive leaks are prompting a likely reevaluation of Nintendo's product security protocols, especially given the eight-year gap since the original Switch launch. The lack of a recent hardware launch of this scale may necessitate adjustments to their reveal processes.
While Nintendo remains officially silent, an announcement is anticipated in the first quarter of 2024. Confirmed details include backward compatibility with original Switch games and Nintendo Switch Online integration. However, a launch within the current fiscal year is unlikely, suggesting a release date no earlier than April 2025.
