Nintendo Switch users have lost access to “Paladins: Champions of the Realm,” a popular free-to-play game that was available on the platform for approximately five years. Developed by Hi-Rez Studios, Paladins is a hero shooter game similar to Blizzard’s Overwatch and had been released in early access a few months after Overwatch. The game, which became renowned for its battle royale mode, is no longer playable on Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch version of Paladins was officially shut down on June 15. The game had been withdrawn from the store in April, leaving it uncertain how many people were still playing Paladins on the Switch when this version of the game was discontinued. However, Paladins remains available on other platforms, allowing fans who were playing the Switch version to continue enjoying the game elsewhere if they wish.
When the shutdown of the Paladins Nintendo Switch version was announced, Hi-Rez explained that it was a necessary step. The Nintendo Switch version of Paladins was found to be lacking compared to its counterparts on other consoles, and the company had difficulty providing it with the necessary support. As a result, Hi-Rez decided to abandon the Nintendo Switch version to dedicate its resources to more active versions of the game on other consoles.
In addition to Paladins, Hi-Rez is also shutting down another Nintendo Switch game this month. The free-to-play shooter “Rogue Company” is no longer available for download on the Nintendo Switch, and from June 20, it will be entirely unplayable on the console. The reasoning behind the shutdown of Rogue Company’s Nintendo Switch version is essentially the same as Paladins.
The shutdowns have undoubtedly disappointed Nintendo fans who enjoyed these games. there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Rumors suggest that Nintendo is preparing a successor to the Switch console, which could potentially justify Hi-Rez’s decision to bring its free-to-play games back to Nintendo platforms. Nevertheless, no official announcement has been made to this effect, so fans should manage their expectations.