Indie developers who have worked with GameMaker Studio 2 can export their games to Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, FireTV, Android TV, Microsoft UWP, HTML5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. No Nintendo Switch, until now. The software creator, Yoyo Games has inked a deal with Nintendo to help bring developers to bring their games over to the Nintendo Switch.

Why is this such as big deal? Great question! Games such as Undertale, Spelunky, Hyper Light Drifter, Hotline Miami, and Xenon Valkyrie+ were created with this development kit and could not port them over to the Switch. Now that the software will let developers export to the Switch, you can expect a lot of future titles to head over to the Nintendo Switch. GameMaker Studio 2 is to launch this summer so don’t expect any game announcements just yet, especially release dates. Hence why Undertale was announced last night with no firm release date. Personally, if we had to take a guess on a launch date for Undertale, late 2018 or early 2019.

Here is the official statement from YoYoGames on their website:

Posted by Ross Manthorp on 8 March 2018

GameMaker Studio 2, the leading 2D game development engine, has signed a deal with Nintendo, meaning GameMaker games can be exported directly to Nintendo Switch. GameMaker is expanding its already significant reach to developers looking to release on the hugely successful console that can be played anytime, anywhere, with anyone. First launched by YoYo Games in March 2017, GameMaker Studio 2 has seen continual growth since its release, and it is ready to take another step forward by forging a partnership with Nintendo. This will culminate with the launch of the GameMaker Studio 2 Nintendo Switch edition in summer, 2018.

“We’re thrilled to be entering into a relationship with Nintendo, with the opportunities this will bring to our game development community, and most importantly, the players themselves,” said James Cox, General Manager, YoYo Games. “Nintendo has been hugely supportive of bringing independent releases to the Nintendo Switch console, and this partnership will mean even more wonderful games are released on the platform. We’re working hard to ensure the Nintendo Switch version of GameMaker Studio 2 retains the already excellent functionality of the engine, and we are committed to supporting developers and studios who are keen to make the jump to Nintendo’s record-breaking console.”

Following the announcement of Undertale’s imminent arrival on Nintendo Switch, Toby Fox, creator of Undertale said, “I’m excited to use GameMaker Studio 2 to put Undertale on Nintendo Switch. I’m a big fan of Nintendo. I hope Mario plays my game.”

In December, we had an interview with Breton Fabrice from COWCAT games, developer and publisher of “Demetrios – The BIG cynical adventure” and “Xenon Valkyrie+” about porting to the games for the Nintendo Switch.

I wish! But GameMaker Studio doesn’t have an export for Nintendo Switch currently. Hopefully someday?

Once news broke out about the software being able to port to the Switch, Breton was perhaps a little excited… (we bleeped out the cursing)

I don’t usually swear on here, but… $#&% YEAAAAH!!!! GameMaker Switch export is a thing!!!

As for the games Breton has developed for the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One…

You can bet I will port ALL my games to it. If possible of course. That should keep me busy this year!

— BROK THE INVESTIGATOR 🐊 (@COWCATGames) March 8, 2018

Source: YoYoGames