The Nintendo Switch Do Not Feed the Monkeys release has been unexpectedly delayed at the last minute, and I truly mean "last minute" — the announcement of the delay went out on the morning of its anticipated launch day on the Nintendo eShop.
If you haven't heard of this game before, check out this trailer released by the developers a ways back to get a feel for what it's all about:
In short, we are the monkeys in Do Not Feed the Monkeys. This is a narrative-driven "digital voyeur simulator," somewhat like the game Telling Lies. Featured as part of LudoNarraCon 2020, this game lets you intrude into peoples' most intimate moments — and it gives you the option to throw a proverbial monkey wrench into the works.
This game has been on Steam for about a year-and-a-half and currently holds an "Overwhelmingly Positive" review, meaning that the devs probably got something right with this game. Unfortunately, something has gone very wrong in the course of working on a Nintendo Switch port.
When is the New Do Not Feed the Monkeys Release Date on Nintendo Switch?
At first, it seemed like there wouldn't be too much of a delay going by an announcement made by the game's publisher on Twitter.
"As some of you may know, we intended to release Do Not Feed the Monkeys on Switch today," began a tweet from the game's publisher Alawar. "Unfortunately, we had to change the ratings. We are waiting for the rating update to be tested, and we'll be able to release the game after that."
However, the developer quoted the publisher's tweet and clarified the situation somewhat, indicating that we may be waiting a bit longer than one might expect.
"Unfortunately, #DoNotFeedtheMonkeys won’t be released on Switch today, as planned," Fictorama Studios explained on Twitter. "It will still take a few days/weeks yet. Sorry for the [inconvenience] and thanks so much for your patience, can’t wait for our monkeys to get into your Nintendo Switch!"
What is unclear is what exactly this rating change entails. It doesn't have an ESRB rating listed on Steam, but then again, an ESRB rating is not required to sell your game on that platform. Console manufacturers, however, do require such a rating.
Currently, the game is listed as "E for Everyone," indicating that it's generally acceptable for all audiences. Going by the context of the tweets, there is some content in the Nintendo Switch Do Not Feed the Monkeys release that would either cause the rating to be raised.
In any case, you'll be able to buy Do Not Feed the Monkeys on the Nintendo eShop sometime soon at the price of $12.99 or your regional equivalent. Alternatively, you can buy the game on Steam for $11.99.
Are you disappointed by the Do Not Feed the Monkeys release date delay? What content do you think spurred the ratings change? Let us know in the comments below!