Scalping has always been an issue for everyone, but gamers get hit hard thanks to specialty systems, limited quantities, and high demand. If you want a glance at how bad scalping is, just look at any console release. Scalpers use every tool in their arsenal, from fake accounts to bots, to get their hands on as many systems as they can because they know they will sell out, and when they do, the scalpers can start selling the same console for double or triple the value.
The fight against scalping has raged for many years, and every company has tried methods of making purchasing their products more fair. For instance, Sony requires purchasers to have a PlayStation account and limits purchases per account. Nintendo is now changing the game with a new practice that will hopefully keep more scalpers away.
Nintendo Implements New Policy to Fight Against Scalpers
The Switch 2 is a hot item still despite it being over a year old. More specifically, the multilingual Switch 2 model is very popular, and Nintendo recently put a pause on sales of the console in Japan due to some suspicious ordering behaviour. A company representative stated they identified “orders suspected of hoarding or similar activities.”
Switch 2 sales are now resumed, but with a new policy. The new policy requires those who wish to purchase a Switch 2 to have logged at least 50 hours of playtime on the original Switch console. This is only a requirement to purchase the international model of the console.
This is not the first time Nintendo has used this policy for purchases, as a similar method was used in the United States when Switch 2 pre-orders went live. In addition to this, the company limited sales to Switch Online members. This policy is also similar to the one being used by Steam for Steam Controller sales. This policy states that purchasers must have a previous purchase history.
