Grounded on Nintendo Switch: Obsidian Commits to Long-Term Support Amid Grounded 2 Prep

Obsidian Entertainment’s acclaimed survival adventure Grounded first landed on Nintendo Switch in 2023, bringing its imaginative, multiplayer thrills to a new audience.

While the initial release was praised for its inventive gameplay and cooperative mechanics, critics noted that performance issues on the original Switch hardware held it back from receiving even higher scores.

With the advent of improved hardware, such as the Switch 2, players have seen a crisper, more stable experience, ramping up excitement for Obsidian’s continued support of the title on Nintendo’s platforms. The future of Grounded on Switch became a point of discussion for fans after Obsidian revealed that Grounded 2 is currently in final preparations for Xbox and PC, but is not planned for Nintendo platforms at this time.

This announcement led to speculation about ongoing support for the original Grounded, amid industry-wide concerns about game preservation and the longevity of digital titles. Addressing these concerns during a recent interview with Eurogamer, Grounded executive producer Marcus Morgan reaffirmed Obsidian’s commitment to supporting the game on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch.

"Our team has a strong passion for ensuring our games stand the test of time and are preserved for players into the future," Morgan explained.

He clarified that while major new content and narrative expansions are not planned for Grounded on Switch—since development focus has moved to Grounded 2—Obsidian continues to release updates and maintain the original title.

Notably, the studio rolled out the 1.4.7 update as recently as April 2024.

The producer emphasized, "There’s ongoing maintenance, and we’re committed to keeping Grounded available for anyone who still wants to play it." Beyond new updates, Obsidian has also delivered gameplay improvements tailored for Nintendo Switch users, such as implementing gyro controls in a post-launch update, demonstrating a willingness to cater to platform-specific features.

Morgan also provided insight into how Grounded is built for longevity.

The game’s multiplayer is structured around peer-to-peer connections, rather than relying solely on dedicated servers, and incorporates cloud-based shared worlds.

"This setup enables players to have a seamless multiplayer experience while allowing the game to persist independent of centralized servers.

That means Grounded will remain playable well into the future, even as priorities shift to new projects." This approach to server architecture has become especially relevant given recent conversations about the fate of online games after official support ends—a topic highlighted by groups like Stop Killing Games.

Morgan was clear that while Obsidian’s design is not a comment on any specific movement, it does ensure Grounded is positioned for a longer shelf life. As Grounded 2 gears up for release on Xbox and PC, Nintendo Switch owners can take comfort knowing that the original Grounded remains a supported and accessible experience.

With ongoing maintenance and player-centric updates, Obsidian continues to show dedication to both game preservation and its loyal Nintendo community, underscoring the studio’s commitment to quality and longevity.

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