Will the Next Grand Theft Auto Be on the Switch?

In case you haven't heard, Rockstar's L.A. Noire, a detective thriller game set in the titular city in 1947, will be making its way to current generation consoles this November. Indeed, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and HTC Vive owners will be able to play an updated version of the 2011 game very soon.

Of note is how Rockstar is releasing the game on platforms outside of the norm – in this case with the HTC Vive and Switch. According to the publisher's official announcements page, the former, titled L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, will be the company's first foray into virtual reality and will include seven select cases from the original game rebuilt specifically for the experience. The latter version of the game will feature all of the original game plus all of its additional DLC. "Enhancements" include a "Joy-Con mode with gyroscopic, gesture-based controls, HD rumble and new wide and over-the-shoulder camera angles, plus contextual touch screen controls for portable detective work."

When compared to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 descriptions of the game, the effort the developer has put into the Switch version seems far greater. "Enhancements" expected of re-releases, like better lighting, textures and visual fidelity, will be included for these ports of the game – nothing more, nothing less. Of course, 4K support will be enabled for people that have invested in an Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro, but that's about the gist of it.

What would Rockstar's logic be in pouring this much effort into the Switch version of the game? After all, their investment could turn up unsound should that console consumer target not be interested. Is there a larger picture to be seen here?

In many ways, Rockstar could be testing the waters to analyse the viability of the system. If Switch consumers buy L.A. Noire and show enthusiasm for titles underneath the publisher's umbrella, who's to stop them from making more games for the platform? Moreover, who's to stop them from making the next entry in their most successful franchise on the platform?

Using this logic, plus assuming that the new mechanics outlined for the Switch version L.A. Noire could be transferable to other open world sandbox experiences, the next Grand Theft Auto could very well be on Nintendo's newest platform. This wouldn't be the first time Rockstar was made a entry in the series portable, as iOS, PSP and 3DS games carrying the name exist, and seeing as how mobile gaming is much more prevalent in today's gaming landscape, a Switch port could very well be possible. The system's great sales certainly help, too.

Only time will tell if fans will truly be able to play Grand Theft Auto VI on Switch. Here's hoping L.A. Noire sales are good enough to justify it.

he opinion expressed in this article is purely that of the author and is not representative of KeenGamer as a whole. Follow David on Twitter: @ZenoCreator125