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

Thursday July 6, 2017 10:58 AM PDT by Juli Clover
During a Nintendo Direct event this morning, Nintendo announced plans to release a new "Nintendo Switch Online" app on July 21, the release date for Splatoon 2. According to Nintendo, the Nintendo Switch Online app, available for iOS and Android, is designed to "enhance your online experience for compatible games on the Nintendo Switch console."

At launch, the only game compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online app will be Splatoon 2. The app will let users voice chat with friends, invite people to online matches, create teams, and access SplatNet 2. SplatNet2 offers up online play statistics and info on upcoming game features.

The debut of the app means Splatoon 2 and other games are unlikely to have built-in voice chat capabilities, instead requiring the separate app, but Nintendo has been promoting an upcoming headset accessory from Hori that will combine audio from the iPhone and the Nintendo Switch for a more seamless play experience.

Nintendo Switch Online for iOS will let you invite friends with Splatoon 2 to Private Battles, League Battles, and Splatfest Battles across social media and "other services," and it will support push notifications for instant alerts when an invite is received.

Though the app will launch with limited functionality, it will expand to encompass other games as Nintendo builds out its Nintendo Switch Online service.

The app's functionality and the Splatoon 2 online play will be available for free until the full Nintendo Switch Online service launches in 2018. Following the launch of Nintendo Switch Online, most games with online gameplay will require an ongoing subscription. Nintendo Switch Online will cost $19.99 per year or $3.99 per month with a monthly subscription.

Tag: Nintendo
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ArtOfWarfare
31 months ago

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.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Saipher
31 months ago
That's great! Now only if one could find a Nintendo Switch to buy... :rolleyes:
Rating: 2 Votes
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bbeagle
31 months ago

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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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Iconoclysm
31 months ago

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.
[doublepost=1499367691][/doublepost]

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.
[doublepost=1499367771][/doublepost]

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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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Boatboy24
31 months ago

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
Rating: 1 Votes
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WRChris
31 months ago

Yes, and it's actually an interesting idea considering a portable console.
[doublepost=1499367691][/doublepost]

This is not the first time they've offered chat. They've had it as long ago as 2004 on the Nintendo DS.
[doublepost=1499367771][/doublepost]

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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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