Nintendo to Debut 'Nintendo Switch Online' iOS App Alongside Splatoon 2 on July 21

I really think Nintendo has lost their way... a separate app on a separate device for something as basic as chat? Really?

What is Nintendo's way?

This is the first time Nintendo has ever offered chat at all.

Historically, Nintendo's way has been to protect their young fan base from any profanity of older players. They did so by just completely blocking any freeform communication in the few online-multiplayer games they've released over the past decade.

This is the first time they're taking a different approach to the problem. Their thought is that their younger players, the ones who are being shielded from the world of profanity by their parents, don't have access to smartphones, thus can't use this solution to communicate in the game.

On the flip side, older players who are no longer shielded do have smartphones, so can use this solution to communicate in the game.

Win-win-win. Parents can still shield their children (whether that's worth doing is up to the parent and not your or my choice to make). Younger players can still play on line. Older players can communicate with each other within the game, exactly what they've been complaining that they can't do in Nintendo games for the past 10 years.

Nintendo hasn't lost their way. They've finally found their way in the world of online gaming. Maybe. We'll see. They certainly didn't know what they were doing for the past 10 years on this front.

That's great! Now only if one could find a Nintendo Switch to buy... :rolleyes:

I really think Nintendo has lost their way... a separate app on a separate device for something as basic as chat? Really?

If you actually followed the links in the article, you'd find out that this is not simply a chat app.

It's more like a facebook-type app for Splatoon fans who are away from their console.

You can view a history of your last 50 battles, see the weapons and strategies other people used, 'buy' online things like hats, clothes, shoes, etc. to change your appearance (from coins you got in battle). Invite others to play with you at a time and date in the future. See others in your area that are playing.... and join with them. Only ONE of the features is ability to chat together.

I really think Nintendo has lost their way... a separate app on a separate device for something as basic as chat? Really?

Yes, and it's actually an interesting idea considering a portable console.
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What is Nintendo's way?

This is the first time Nintendo has ever offered chat at all.

Historically, Nintendo's way has been to protect their young fan base from any profanity of older players. They did so by just completely blocking any freeform communication in the few online-multiplayer games they've released over the past decade.

This is the first time they're taking a different approach to the problem. Their thought is that their younger players, the ones who are being shielded from the world of profanity by their parents, don't have access to smartphones, thus can't use this solution to communicate in the game.

On the flip side, older players who are no longer shielded do have smartphones, so can use this solution to communicate in the game.

Win-win-win. Parents can still shield their children (whether that's worth doing is up to the parent and not your or my choice to make). Younger players can still play on line. Older players can communicate with each other within the game, exactly what they've been complaining that they can't do in Nintendo games for the past 10 years.

Nintendo hasn't lost their way. They've finally found their way in the world of online gaming. Maybe. We'll see. They certainly didn't know what they were doing for the past 10 years on this front.

This is not the first time they've offered chat. They've had it as long ago as 2004 on the Nintendo DS.
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Fair enough... but it seems like all of that should be available through the Switch itself. Multiplayer computer-based games have offered chat and other interactive features, in one form or another, directly through the games themselves for the past 15 years.

Decoupling this from the console makes a ton of sense, primarily because it's portable.

That's great! Now only if one could find a Nintendo Switch to buy... :rolleyes:

Best bet is to order from GameStop. I looked for a few weeks, then placed an order there. Had my system delivered in less than 10 days. Granted, they are offering bundles, generally. But I found one that had what we wanted and nothing else. There's one there now, due for release the end of next week.

http://www.gamestop.com/nintendo-switch/consoles/nintendo-switch-w-gray-joy-con-ultimate-fan-bundle-ships-by-7-14-17/150459

Yes, and it's actually an interesting idea considering a portable console.
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This is not the first time they've offered chat. They've had it as long ago as 2004 on the Nintendo DS.
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Decoupling this from the console makes a ton of sense, primarily because it's portable.

It does not make any sense whatsoever to have a gaming device in one hand and a phone in the other just to talk to the people you are playing the game with.

I've already sold 1 of my switch consoles and plan to keep the other only for Mario.

No browser, no apps of any kind, no chat, no achievements, no pre downloading of software, no clock face screensaver while charging, no themes, only 3 new AAA games( it's still early but there is virtually no third party support other than FIFA), non transferable save data, still using ancient friend code crap. I'm sure I've left out a lot of missing features that one would have expected in a gaming console from 2010. Oh yeah, NO VIRTUAL CONSOLE.

I've pretty much lost hope that Nintendo will ever tell switch owners about what is coming. The lack of communication from Nintendo is very telling, they don't have a clue what they are doing.



Edit: I am excited for sonic mania and this "core" Pokémon game. I know the Pokémon game will not be what I want either though, I've come to expect disappointing news when it comes to console pokemon. Probably just stadium 3 or worse than that, pokemon snap 2.
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Not a game I'm interested in at all. Gladly pay 20.00 a year to play classics though.

Everything Nintendo has said about those remastered classics only makes me think there will not be a catalogue of games to pick from, just the flavor of the month and that's it.