The narrative adventure game “Dispatch” has been censored by its own developer, AdHoc Studio, for its releases on Nintendo Switch consoles. The alterations were confirmed by the studio and affect both the current Nintendo Switch version and the planned release for the successor console, commonly referred to as the “Switch 2.” This decision was made to comply with the platform holder’s content guidelines, though the specific changes were not detailed.
AdHoc Studio announced the censorship in a public statement. The studio explained that modifications were necessary to meet the standards required for publication on Nintendo’s digital storefront, the eShop. The original version of “Dispatch” remains available on other platforms, including PC via Steam, without these changes.
Content Guidelines and Platform Compliance
The incident highlights the ongoing relationship between independent developers and platform holders regarding content moderation. Nintendo maintains a set of content guidelines that all software on its systems must follow. These rules cover a range of potential issues, including but not limited to explicit imagery, certain types of violence, and other adult themes.
Developers seeking to publish on closed platforms like the Nintendo eShop often undergo a submission and review process. This process can result in requests for changes before a game is approved for sale. In this case, AdHoc Studio chose to implement the requested alterations rather than withdraw the game from the platform entirely.
Developer and Community Reaction
AdHoc Studio’s statement framed the decision as a practical necessity to bring the game to a wider audience on the popular console. The developer expressed a desire for players to experience the story of “Dispatch,” even in an altered form, on Nintendo hardware. The studio did not indicate whether the changes were minor adjustments or affected core narrative elements.
Initial reactions from the gaming community have been mixed. Some consumers have expressed disappointment, arguing that artistic vision should not be compromised for platform distribution. Others have noted that such practices are a standard, if sometimes contentious, part of multi-platform game development and publishing.
Implications for Future Releases
This event serves as a recent example of the compromises developers may face when porting games to different ecosystems. The confirmation that the censored version will also be the one released on the upcoming Nintendo console suggests that AdHoc Studio anticipates a consistent application of the platform’s content policies for the foreseeable future.
For players, it underscores the potential for version differences between platforms. Consumers who prioritize an unaltered experience may need to research which platform hosts the developer’s original intended version of a game before purchasing.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on the eventual release of “Dispatch” on the next-generation Nintendo console. AdHoc Studio has not provided a revised release timeline for that version. The studio’s approach may also influence how other independent developers assess the trade-offs between platform reach and creative control when planning their own multi-platform release strategies.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
