The Nintendo Switch will reportedly see an upgraded console release next year. Getty Images
The Nintendo Switch will reportedly see an upgraded console release next year. Getty Images
The Nintendo Switch will reportedly see an upgraded console release next year. Getty Images
The Nintendo Switch will reportedly see an upgraded console release next year. Getty Images

Nintendo is reportedly releasing an upgraded Switch console in 2021

The Nintendo Switch has been a highly sought after gaming console during the pandemic

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau
Abu Dhabi

August 28, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Nintendo fans are likely in for a treat as it appears the Japanese video game company is poised to release a new and upgraded Nintendo Switch gaming console early next year.

According to Bloomberg, Nintendo will release a more premium version of its popular Switch console with upgraded graphics. This might be an attempt to keep pace with heavy hitters like Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X.

Both of these heavily anticipated gaming consoles are set to come out by the end of the year.

While all the specifics are reportedly not yet finalised for the new Switch, users could potentially be in for more computer power, better battery life and 4K high-definition graphics.

A console upgrade also means there will likely be a new set of games on the way as well.

The Nintendo Switch was one of the most sought-after items during the start of the coronavirus pandemic when more people found themselves self-isolating and staying at home; so much so that getting hold of one wasn't always straightforward as demand outstripped supply for the device.

The bump in popularity was also tied to the release of the video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons that came out on March 20. The game, which takes place on an idyllic island and sees players freely explore their surroundings, became a smash hit and is the second best-selling game on the console. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains number one.

The Nintendo Switch was released in 2017 and had sold 61 million consoles between its launch and the end of June this year. Fans currently have two options to choose from: the full-size Switch which can connect to a TV and also be used as a handheld device and the Lite version, which is just handheld and comes with a cheaper starting price. The Lite retails for about Dh786 in the UAE, while the full one is being sold on Amazon for Dh1,339.

12 video games to watch out for in 2020

  • Doom Eternal will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia and Nintendo Switch in March.
    Doom Eternal will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia and Nintendo Switch in March.
  • Cyberpunk 2077 will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia in April.
    Cyberpunk 2077 will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia in April.
  • Halo Infinite will be available on PC and XSX.
    Halo Infinite will be available on PC and XSX.
  • Resident Evil 3 will be available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in April.
    Resident Evil 3 will be available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in April.
  • 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' is available on the Nintendo Switch
    'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' is available on the Nintendo Switch
  • Watch Dogs: Legion will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, XSX, and Stadia.
    Watch Dogs: Legion will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, XSX, and Stadia.
  • Half-Life: Alyx will be available on PC in March.
    Half-Life: Alyx will be available on PC in March.
  • Ghost of Tsushima will be available on PS4.
    Ghost of Tsushima will be available on PS4.
  • The Last of Us Part 2. Sony has announced that the launch of this game has been delayed.
    The Last of Us Part 2. Sony has announced that the launch of this game has been delayed.
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available on PC and Xbox One.
    Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available on PC and Xbox One.
  • Marvel's Avengers will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia in May.
    Marvel's Avengers will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia in May.
  • Godfall will be available on PS5.
    Godfall will be available on PS5.
Did you know?

Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.

Kill%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nikhil%20Nagesh%20Bhat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Lakshya%2C%20Tanya%20Maniktala%2C%20Ashish%20Vidyarthi%2C%20Harsh%20Chhaya%2C%20Raghav%20Juyal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Arts & Culture