Dbrand is a company that’s well known for its acerbic tone and Saharra dry sense of humor. Combine that with a fervent online community and sometimes things get very lost in translation.
Yesterday, a purported problem with Dbrand’s (quite excellent) Killswitch case for the Switch 2 arose in which the Joy-Cons could unexpectedly detach when pressure was put on the magnetic connector. Dbrand’s response, somewhat predictably, was essentially a glib “you’re holding it wrong.”
And then the fireworks started.
In today’s Reddit post, CEO Adam Ijaz posted “After reading through your feedback, it’s quite clear that our post was a spectacularly terrible response to the issue at hand. Some of you have expressed that opinion in a perfectly reasonable way. Others have expressed it with literal death threats.”
And while overreaction is the wont of public forums, the feedback was taken in stride “…we acknowledge that every complaint we’ve received is underpinned by a problem that we alone are responsible for solving.”
So What Is the Issue?
Dbrand’s Killswitch case for the Switch 2 is based on their Steam Deck case and is a phenomenal upgrade for the system, providing protection, texturized joystick pads, and improved grips for the Joy-Cons.
It’s the Joy-Con grips that are at issue.
Some units shipped with a manufacturing tolerance issue that affects the retaining lip that secures the Joy-Con grips. On a stock Switch 2 there’s an air gap built in to the Switch 2 design, giving the Joy-Con connector the flex it needs to stay connected even under stress. The slightly too thick grip fills that gap and introduces instability into the design.
The “hair-too-thick” grips on the Dbrand Killswitch are causing unexpected detachments for some users. Namely, users who hold and shake their entire Switch 2 by a single Joy-Con. That, paired with the extra stress that such a move puts on the magnet holding the Joy-Con in place, results in the Joy-Con detaching (and the rest of the Switch 2 tumbling).
Indeed, I noticed that the tooling on my pre-release copy had a bit of a raised edge. When putting stress on the Switch 2 by holding the entire unit by the Joy-Con, there was wiggle there that wasn’t present when the Dbrand grip wasn’t installed.
And while it may be an edge case, Dbrand is of the mind that the user should be able to “hold it however the fuck you want.”
What’s the Solution?
Dbrand is exploring a couple of paths to resolve the issue. While they could use adhesive, like some other Switch 2 accessory makers have done, they see that as a dead end resulting in 100% failure over time.
So they’re taking multiple paths to re-engineering their grip solution — one that reduces the “lip” that caused the problem to begin and another that Adam calls a “Holy Grail” solution for Joy-Con grip attachment. Neither solution is easy. For instance, the Holy Grail solution may work conceptually but it’s entirely possible that it can’t be mass produced.
From Adam’s post:
“There’s a very real possibility that the first unit we try to make gets stuck on the tool and turns it into the world’s most expensive paperweight. We’re beyond the limit of mass production feasibility with this design – it’s the very reason we didn’t go this route in the first place.”
But if Dbrand can pull it off, that solution will let users “shake their Joy-Con like a maniac,” matching the attachment reliability comparable to that of a stock Switch 2. Adam didn’t share what that solution will look like but I’ll be very curious to see what form it ultimately takes and how it works with the rest of the Killswitch case.
Even if that solution does end up bricking their mold, simply reducing the lip of the Joy-Con grip isn’t without its issues. Dbrand is using “tiny zaps of electricity, repeated tens of millions of times, over the course of two weeks” to rework their grip solution. They won’t know until July 10th, when they try a production run, if it will actually work. If the Holy Grail solution fails, they’ll have to restart the process for the “safer” reduced lip solution.
How Do You Get Replacements?
Adam had this to say about the blow-up and subsequent response:
“I recognize that it would, of course, be the platonic ideal to ship a perfect product on the first pass every time, but that’s not always possible when manufacturing physical goods at scale. While many brands can get away with quietly updating stock unnoticed and dealing with a few one star reviews on Amazon, our community is uniquely online. Just looking at our subreddit, it’s averaging about 2M visits per month (this month is particularly high at 3M, but you get the idea). That sort of online fan base gives a great platform for discourse around our products, but it also magnifies issues in a way that often gives them an outsized representation among the global base. It’s a double-edged sword, but we live by it.
Ultimately, what we’re committed to is transparency, responsiveness, and – when we fuck something up – making sure customers get the right product in the end.”
Dbrand has said that all customers, whether they’ve experienced the issue or not, will receive upgraded Joy-Con grips at no cost. After a path forward is chosen on July 10th, Killswitch Switch 2 customers will receive an email detailing how to get a replacement set of grips.
I’m thrilled to see Dbrand step up and do right by their customers. Especially given that the Switch 2, encased in the Killswitch, is probably my favorite console of all time. With the clear “cartridge collection” travel cover with integrated case and roomy grips (lip or no lip), it’s made the Switch 2 an essential travel system. The grip especially make the Switch 2 comfortable to hold for longer periods of time (which I’ll be doubly appreciative of when Hades 2 drops later this year).
Plus the companion “idiot-proof” screen protectors (which really are elementary to install) keep your screen safe while reducing the temptation to remove the installed shatter protector. I paired my system with Joy-Con skins that are color-coded to the console itself. Altogether, the Dbrand Killswitch ensures that the Switch 2 remains protected and looks good at the same time.
And knowing that after replacement Joy-Con grips are shipped out, I’ll potentially be able to shake my system like Donkey Kong, I’m even more pleased with the Killswitch.
Follow along on the dbrand Subreddit for further updates or just keep an eye on your email.
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