Overview
Dispatch, one of 2025's most beloved indie titles, sold over 3 million copies and earned multiple award nominations. A highly anticipated port for Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 was set for a January 2026 launch.
Sales and Accolades
- 3 million copies sold by end of 2025
- Nominated at the DICE Awards and The Game Awards
- Featured on Wccftech’s Best Adventure Games of 2025 list
Nintendo Release and Censorship
Upon release, players discovered that all instances of swearing and the game's limited nudity were permanently censored, with no option to disable the changes.
Statements from AdHoc Studio and Nintendo
AdHoc Studio initially said the changes were made to meet Nintendo’s platform criteria while keeping the core experience intact. Nintendo later clarified it does not alter partner content but requires games to meet its guidelines.
Disclaimer Mishap
AdHoc’s COO, Nick Herman, explained that a disclaimer about the altered content existed on the eShop page but was placed in a poorly visible field titled “Disclaimer” instead of the “About the Game” section. The studio corrected the placement hours after launch and added a pre‑purchase warning.
Comparison with Cyberpunk 2077
Unlike Dispatch, CD Projekt RED released separate versions of Cyberpunk 2077 for regions with stricter content rules, allowing the uncensored version to appear on Switch 2. AdHoc lacks the resources to produce multiple regional builds.
Impact on Players
- Switch owners receive a censored experience
- PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S retain the original content
- Community frustration over lack of transparency
Future Outlook
AdHoc is working with Nintendo on an update to restore some censored content. The incident highlights the challenges indie studios face when navigating platform guidelines without the budget for multiple regional versions.