Nintendo’s next console, widely referred to as Switch 2, is drawing fresh scrutiny over how it’s distributing development kits. Strikerz Inc., the studio behind the free-to-play football game UFL, says it’s still waiting on access—and believes the approval process is especially tough for teams building free-to-play titles.
Strikerz CEO Eugene Nashilov explained during a recent presentation to Football Gaming Zone that the studio requested a Switch 2 dev kit some time ago but hasn’t received one. He suggested that free-to-play developers are not a priority, noting that Nintendo is “not very much actively giving development kits to free-to-play developers,” and calling it part of a broader industry trend. UFL is currently available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC release slated for November, and the team wants to bring the game to Switch 2 as well.
Reports from other developers echo the same frustrations: the application process feels opaque, with no clear logic to who gets a kit and who doesn’t. That uncertainty has sparked debate about how quickly live-service and free-to-play games will arrive on Nintendo’s next platform.
The tension isn’t new. Nintendo has historically favored traditional paid releases for its own games on Switch, with only a few exceptions such as Super Kirby Clash. Even back in 2015, former president Satoru Iwata expressed caution about free-to-play models. By contrast, rival platforms have leaned more heavily into titles supported by microtransactions. That said, Nintendo has grown more welcoming to major free-to-play hits in recent years, with games like Fortnite and Apex Legends becoming staples on Switch. The eShop has also made it easier to discover free-to-start content.
If dev kit access for free-to-play studios remains limited in the short term, players could see slower arrivals of live-service experiences on Switch 2. For sports fans looking forward to UFL specifically, the wait may continue until the approval process opens up—or until Nintendo expands access as the console’s launch draws closer.
For now, Strikerz Inc. is ready to build a Switch 2 version of UFL. The ball, however, appears to be firmly in Nintendo’s court.
