The third-party lineup for the Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 are causing quite a stir for being a physical voucher for a digital game, and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red has weighed in on the discussion. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition contains the entire game on its Switch 2 cartridge, meaning there are no s required to play the game, unless you need an additional language pack.

Speaking with The Game Business (via Eurogamer), VP of business development at CD Projekt Red Jan Rosner said of Cyberpunk coming complete on the cartridge, "The right thing to do was to have it out on the cartridge with a plug and play experience." Rosner says physical editions are especially important to Nintendo's audience, partly because of storage concerns: "A game like The Witcher 3 would take up to 80% of your internal memory [...]. But… a plug and play experience is a really cool thing." He continues, "Do not underestimate the physical edition. It's not going anywhere and Nintendo players are very appreciative of physical editions that are done right."

The Uproar Over Game-Key Cards Won't End Soon

A Strange Middle Ground Between Physical & Digital

Game-key cards have been a contentious aspect of the Switch 2's promotional cycle, right next to the digital codes like Split Fiction.

There are plenty of valid concerns regarding game-key cards, including actual resell value, lack of accommodation for s with poor or no internet connection, and even plastic waste. Game preservationists are especially concerned with this halfway step toward abandoning physical media. Just like games that release only digitally, game-key cards will continue to be divisive, though CD Projekt Red is confident in the future of retail and phsyical releaes.

Rosner says, "Nintendo at physical retail is still strong, and retail is, in general, not going anywhere. I don't think we'll soon experience a reality where we're just having all games digital." Part of this mindset involves looking at the issue from a non-business perspective. "We try to look at those things as players ourselves," Rosner said.

Our Take: CD Projekt Red Is Taking An irable Pro-Consumer Stance

Continuing To Repair Its Reputation

CD Projekt Red became an industry darling after the release of The Witcher 3, but later became reviled for the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. It's been a long, slow climb back, but CDPR has redeemed itself in the eyes of many; Cyberpunk is better than it's ever been and even has the excellent Phantom Liberty expansion. Loading the whole game onto a Switch 2 cartridge is another win for the company in the court of public opinion.

Put simply, CD Projekt Red is taking on greater financial expenses to deliver a better product for consumers, a rare stance among the wide adoption of game-key cards by other publishers. There is certainly a place in the industry for game-key cards; it's a great solution for collectors who also value the convenience of digital games. An ambitious game like Cyberpunk 2077 coming to a portable system like the Nintendo Switch 2 is already a tall order, though, and putting the entire game on the cartridge is a noticeable and irable gesture from a company that isn't required to cater to consumers.

Source: The Game Business (via Eurogamer)