Dispatch Developer Addresses Nintendo Switch Censorship with New Patch

Dispatch developer AdHoc Studio has issued a patch to unlock more nudity options on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, after unexpected in-game censorship was discovered by players earlier this year, prompting a huge furore.

AdHoc Studio has released the 'HR Violations Pack' to allow players in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand to access additional nudity options in Dispatch. This update enables players to view 'breasts, butts, and birds' along with obscene gestures. For those who prefer not to see explicit content, the patch offers alternative censorship options like a pixelated effect or comedic cover-up items such as jorts, which can be selected in the game's settings.

Despite these changes, certain 'hard requirements from Nintendo' still apply. Genitalia remains prohibited, and specific audio during Invisigal's erotic dream sequence remains muted. The censorship in Japan remains unchanged, with full restrictions in place, and players cannot even opt for pixelated or jort effects. AdHoc Studio has provided further insights into the reasons behind the controversy, explaining that time constraints and resource limitations led to the unexpected need for censorship in all regions. The studio's decision to use a single Switch build complying with Nintendo's strictest regional rating resulted in a more censored version of Dispatch than anticipated by players.

AdHoc Studio acknowledged the communication lapse regarding the differences between the Switch version and other platforms, apologizing to players who may have felt misled. The positive reception of Dispatch allowed the studio to allocate development resources to rectify the situation, ensuring that players receive the intended experience. The uncensored options introduced in today's patch will also be available on PC and PS5, with plans for Xbox compatibility upon the game's release on the platform.