The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and NBA 2K17 both played a huge role in the “First Glimpse” trailer for the Nintendo Switch. In addition to showcasing two games that are extremely popular with players around the world, the two games proved that Nintendo was taking significant steps towards expanding the third-party offerings of their next console.
But hold on a second, it seems that Bethesda and 2K can’t yet confirm that Skyrim and NBA 2K17 will be available for the Switch.
In nearly identical statements to Polygon, both publishers said they were “happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Nintendo” and “[weren’t] confirming any specific titles at this time”:
However, when contacted by Polygon, representatives for both 2K Sports and Bethesda declined to confirm whether their respective games were in development for Nintendo’s new console. The two publishers sent remarkably similar statements, too, telling Polygon they were “happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Nintendo” on the trailer. Both companies added, “While we are not confirming any specific titles at this time, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Nintendo and support of Nintendo Switch.”
Nintendo likely had a hand in helping craft their statement to the media, but then why oh why were Ubisoft (Just Dance 2017) and Sega (Project Sonic) allowed to announce projects for the Switch (nee NX) earlier this year?
The answer to that probably lies in a statement a Nintendo spokesman made to The Wall Street Journal after the reveal. He said the consolemaker won’t make any new announcements about possible games for the Switch or reveal specific hardware details until 2017. That said, I think Skyrim and NBA 2K17 will definitely both eventually make their way to the Switch. It would be an incredibly terrible PR move to showcase both games in the console’s reveal trailer and then hope fans just forget about them over the next five months.
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t currently have a release date, but it is expected to be released next March.