LEGO 2K Drive is set to be released next week, but publisher 2K has shared some new information that has Nintendo Switch players more than a little upset.
Lego 2K Drive is a new open-world racing game with Lego visuals, and lets players race with and against friends online.
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It’s also possible to open your game up to everyone, so random players will appear in your game world to race against, though you won’t be able to communicate with them.
The game will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, but not all of these versions are created equal.
While most of the platforms the game appears on will support crossplay, Nintendo Switch players will only be able to interact with players who are also playing on Switch.
Crossplay is a system in games which lets players from one platform, such as PS5, play online with players on another platform, like Xbox.
A growing number of games have been implementing crossplay in recent years, with big-hitters like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Fall Guys all letting players from any platform interact.
2K has not provided a reason for why Nintendo Switch players won’t be able to participate in crossplay in Lego 2K Drive.
Some have speculated that the content included in the game is different on Switch compared to other platforms, but this does not appear to be the case according to prior marketing.
Another reason could be that the Switch supports local wireless multiplayer, unlike other platforms, which could make other online systems incompatible.
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Another potential reason is that the systems required for crossplay might be too resource-intensive on the Switch, which uses notably weaker hardware than other consoles.
While this typically doesn’t factor into most games’ features, developers of fighting games have said that the Nintendo Switch can struggle with some online features.
One major feature typically excluded on Switch in fighting games is rollback netcode, which helps resolve desync issues when playing online.
Lego 2K Drive is expected to launch on every platform next week, on May 19, 2023, but will face tough competition as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases this week.
Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.
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