New Blood Interactive Prioritizes Players Over Profit, Confirms Switch 2 & Console Releases
New Blood Interactive, the independent publisher known for titles like Dusk and Ultrakill, has reaffirmed its commitment to multi-platform releases, even when financially illogical. According to co-founder Dave Oshry, the company would exclusively publish on Steam if profit were its sole motivator. However, New Blood continues to prioritize console releases – including the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 – driven by a dedication to its player base.
Speaking to RPG Site, Oshry explained that Steam is, by far, the most financially viable platform for the publisher. Bringing games to consoles involves lengthy certification processes, rigid requirements and less flexibility than PC, where developers can update, fix, or modify titles in real-time. Despite these challenges, New Blood’s strategy isn’t to limit its business vision, but rather to expand to new platforms because of its players.
“We do it because our players want it,” Oshry stated, emphasizing that New Blood wouldn’t publish on platforms beyond Steam if it were solely based on economic benefit. When the community requests versions for Xbox or PlayStation, the studio undertakes the additional effort to fulfill that demand, even if console sales significantly lag behind PC performance.
Expanding to the Nintendo Switch 2
One platform where expansion has proven particularly challenging is Nintendo’s next-generation console, the Switch 2. However, Oshry confirmed that Nintendo has provided New Blood with development kits for the new hybrid console. This makes bringing their games to the system more likely than ever, though still contingent on player interest. From a hardware and optimization perspective, Oshry noted the system doesn’t differ drastically from the original Switch. He cited Dusk as an example, running at 120 fps with mouse control on the Switch 2, a performance he described as “fantastic.”
The complexities of console development are a recurring theme in the industry. While PC offers a more streamlined development and deployment process, the console market represents a significant audience and a prestige factor for many independent developers. The need to navigate platform-specific requirements and certification processes adds considerable cost and time to development cycles.
Despite acknowledging that “it’s always great” to see their games on console digital storefronts, New Blood remains fundamentally defined by its cult-classic independent shooters like Ultrakill and Amid Evil. The publisher is also broadening its horizons with Dungeons of Dusk, an RPG set in the Dusk universe. A demo is currently available as part of Steam Next Fest, with a full launch planned for later this year.
The decision by New Blood Interactive to continue supporting consoles despite the financial hurdles highlights a growing tension within the indie game development space. While PC, particularly Steam, remains the most accessible and profitable platform for many, the desire to reach a wider audience and cater to dedicated console communities often outweighs purely economic considerations. This approach is increasingly common among smaller studios prioritizing community engagement over maximizing short-term profits.
Recent industry surveys corroborate this trend. A January 30, 2026, GDC “State of the Game Industry” survey revealed that 80% of game developers still plan to target Windows PC, but only 40% are prioritizing PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, and a mere 20% are developing for Xbox. This shift in focus underscores the challenges facing console platforms and the growing importance of the PC gaming market. The survey also noted a significant decline in developer interest in Xbox, with a drop from 34% last year to just 20% this year.
The availability of Switch 2 development kits to studios like New Blood Interactive is a positive sign for the platform’s future. However, the success of the Switch 2 will ultimately depend on its ability to attract both developers and players, and to offer a compelling alternative to the increasingly dominant PC gaming ecosystem. The willingness of developers to navigate the complexities of console development, as demonstrated by New Blood Interactive, will be crucial to the platform’s long-term viability.
the company’s stance contrasts with a broader industry trend where financial pressures are leading some developers to prioritize platforms with the highest potential return on investment. New Blood’s commitment to its community, even at a financial cost, positions it as a unique player in the indie game landscape.