Indie game studio says Switch 2 dev kits are more accessible, but Nintendo fears shovelware slop

New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry has confirmed that Switch 2 development kits have become more accessible to indie studios, though Nintendo continues to exercise tight control over which games ultimately launch on the platform. The revelation comes as the studio prepares to release its upcoming dungeon crawler, Dungeons of Dusk, across multiple platforms including the Switch 2.

According to Oshry, obtaining development tools from Nintendo is "not much different than the Switch 1," suggesting the process has become more streamlined compared to the early days of the original Switch. This aligns with reports from reliable leaker NateTheHate, who noted in late 2025 that dev kit availability had improved significantly.

However, accessibility doesn't guarantee approval. Oshry revealed that Dungeons of Dusk builds are already running well on the Switch 2 hardware, with promising performance and even mouse control support. Despite this progress, the game's release on Nintendo's new handheld remains uncertain as the studio awaits final approval from Nintendo.

This selective approach reflects Nintendo's growing concern about eShop quality control. Oshry provided rare insight into the company's mindset, explaining that Nintendo "doesn't want it to just become a giant slop fest like the Switch 1 eShop became after a few years with just tons of shovelware on there." The original Switch's digital storefront became notorious for being flooded with low-quality, often AI-generated games that made it difficult for quality titles to stand out.

Nintendo's caution extends beyond individual game approvals. In June 2025, the company implemented significant changes to the eShop's ranking algorithm in some regions, shifting from quantity-based metrics to revenue-based rankings over the past three days. This change aims to reduce the visibility of cheap knockoffs and ensure that successful games gain more prominent placement. The company has also worked to minimize bundle clutter and improve game descriptions for better accuracy.

These measures indicate Nintendo's commitment to maintaining the Switch 2's digital storefront as a curated marketplace rather than an open platform. While this approach may frustrate some developers who find their games stuck in approval limbo, it could ultimately benefit both players and quality-focused studios by reducing marketplace noise.

The situation highlights an ongoing tension in the gaming industry between platform openness and quality control. While more accessible dev kits lower the barrier to entry for indie developers, Nintendo's continued gatekeeping suggests the company believes maintaining a curated ecosystem is crucial for the Switch 2's long-term success. Whether this strategy will prove effective remains to be seen, but it's clear that Nintendo is determined to avoid repeating the eShop bloat that characterized the later years of its predecessor.

For now, Dungeons of Dusk sits in development purgatory, running smoothly on Switch 2 hardware but awaiting the green light that will determine whether it joins the growing library of Switch 2 titles or becomes another casualty of Nintendo's quality control efforts.