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Nintendo Website Indicates Built in Switch Friends List (+other online features)

Why would they use match making on the app only? And no, it's not 'because it's Nintendo', it makes 0 sense to have match making done only from the app; especially since they had that stuff on the systems themselves in past generations.
It makes no sense to make any of this app only.
 

KingSnake

The Birthday Skeleton
What are you talking about? I'm talking about this.
1wX4JKA.png

"Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"

Yes, that says you can connect a headset with mic or a mic. That's it. Sing karaoke with it.
 

Matbtz

Member
People asking for basic online features (that they'll be paying monthly for) to be included on the actual console = just trying to shit on Nintendo

What?

I'm just talking about the exaggerated negativity that has been around since the switch launch, not talking about everyone. Of course it's normal to hope and want basic functionality within the OS. But instead of debating or have constructive talks about the find of the OP for example, some people prefer to just rant. But yeah I know this is Gaf
 
Bumping this because Nintendo's UK website now has this information (which was apparently on the JP website all this time):

Once again, Nintendo's official website confirms friend management is on the console itself:

From the HOME Menu, you can start games and select game settings. In addition to managing friends and user accounts, you can also change your system settings here.

So it's pretty much confirmed now that friends management is doable on the console itself, contrary to what a lot of people previously thought. Also this page confirms that the headphone jack is "For connecting commercially available headphones, microphones, or headsets"

Also I'd like to draw your attention to this thread which confirms, at the very least, the phone app is not necessary for matchmaking with friends in games coming out in the launch window.


For the record, Nintendo's communication about all this has been quite terrible, so you won't see me defending that. But it's nice that there's finally a bit of clarification.
 
Bumping this because Nintendo's UK website now has this information (which was apparently on the JP website all this time):

Once again, Nintendo's official website confirms friend management is on the console itself:



So it's pretty much confirmed now that friends management is doable on the console itself, contrary to what a lot of people previously thought. Also this page confirms that the headphone jack is "For connecting commercially available headphones, microphones, or headsets"

Also I'd like to draw your attention to this thread which confirms, at the very least, the phone app is not necessary for matchmaking with friends in games coming out in the launch window.


For the record, Nintendo's communication about all this has been quite terrible, so you won't see me defending that. But it's nice that there's finally a bit of clarification.

Good. I really HOPE this isn't Nintendos way of explaining things from now on instead of making a Direct to explain it out because this info will never be seen by people and they'll keep assuming negatives.
 
Good. I really HOPE this isn't Nintendos way of explaining things from now on instead of making a Direct to explain it out because this info will never be seen by people and they'll keep assuming negatives.

They desperately need a direct in February. Ideally after the Superbowl where they should have at least one Switch/Zelda commercial.
 
Good. I really HOPE this isn't Nintendos way of explaining things from now on instead of making a Direct to explain it out because this info will never be seen by people and they'll keep assuming negatives.

Nintendo is probably targeting the more reasonable mainstream audience, not the need-everything-immediately, constantly jumping to conclusions, and becoming irrationally angry hardcore gaming forum members.

Admittedly they did a fairly poor job and conveying the details of this, but instead of assuming they would clarify later, a number of people on here simply starting jumping to conclusions, then using those conclusions to justify getting angry
 
Bumping this because Nintendo's UK website now has this information (which was apparently on the JP website all this time):

Once again, Nintendo's official website confirms friend management is on the console itself:



So it's pretty much confirmed now that friends management is doable on the console itself, contrary to what a lot of people previously thought. Also this page confirms that the headphone jack is "For connecting commercially available headphones, microphones, or headsets"

Also I'd like to draw your attention to this thread which confirms, at the very least, the phone app is not necessary for matchmaking with friends in games coming out in the launch window.


For the record, Nintendo's communication about all this has been quite terrible, so you won't see me defending that. But it's nice that there's finally a bit of clarification.
As I said in one of the other threads part of the problem that causes these issues and leads to confusion is Reggie's inability to clearly answer a question. The man has thought that it's cute to talk in riddles since 2008.
 
As I said in one of the other threads part of the problem that causes these issues and leads to confusion is Reggie's inability to clearly answer a question. The man has thought that it's cute to talk in riddles since 2008.

You are absolutely correct there. Everything he says is at best cringey, and at worst completely nonsensical. He really needs some lessons in proper PR.
 
As I said in one of the other threads part of the problem that causes these issues and leads to confusion is Reggie's inability to clearly answer a question. The man has thought that it's cute to talk in riddles since 2008.

Well it's either him trying to give hints at what's to come, or completely stonewalling reporters since it's obvious Nintendo is waiting to actually provide details. It's a lose lose situation for everyone
 
Nintendo is probably targeting the more reasonable mainstream audience, not the need-everything-immediately, constantly jumping to conclusions, and becoming irrationally angry hardcore gaming forum members.

Admittedly they did a fairly poor job and conveying the details of this, but instead of assuming they would clarify later, a number of people on here simply starting jumping to conclusions, then using those conclusions to justify getting angry

They did a poor job giving the details when all eyes were on them. The Switch Presentation was built up for a while and it should've been said there, but like you said most people decided to fill in the gaps with their own negativity without wait for Nintendo to fill the gaps in.

They desperately need a direct in February. Ideally after the Superbowl where they should have at least one Switch/Zelda commercial.
I'll take Reggie at his word when he said they would discuss it before the launch so that needs to be a Direct in February for people to visually see so they can stop being so angry.
 
They needed to clear this shit up weeks ago.

People still think Xbox One cant play used games ffs.

I think the damage is already done.

Almost no damage has been done. The average consumer has only just seen the device and knows that it Switches, and they want one on that basis. The rest they will discover just by using the system.

Literally only matters to people on message boards.
 
They needed to clear this shit up weeks ago.

People still think Xbox One cant play used games ffs.

I think the damage is already done.

"Weeks ago"

The presentation was literally just 2 weeks ago haha

I do get your point though, and it's annoying that we have to fish around to find this type of clarification. But I don't think much damage is done as said above... This is the type of thing very few people are yet aware of.
 
Well it's either him trying to give hints at what's to come, or completely stonewalling reporters since it's obvious Nintendo is waiting to actually provide details. It's a lose lose situation for everyone
He should just say "please wait for more details" then instead of giving these weird answers that only lead to more confusion and misinformation.

It feels sometimes that he doesn't know the real answer and instead of just admitting that he says something cryptic on the fly. His only job now is PR since NoA has pretty much lost much of its say in business decisions so it's pretty sad that he can't even seem to do this right.
 
He should just say "please wait for more details" then instead of giving these weird answers that only lead to more confusion and misinformation.

It feels sometimes that he doesn't know the real answer and instead of just admitting that he says something cryptic on the fly. His only job now is PR since NoA has pretty much lost much of its say in business decisions so it's pretty sad that he can't even seem to do this right.

Like I said it's a lose lose, because then people would be complaining that Reggie never gives any real answers. The only way to have avoided it is if Nintendo gave the details during the initial presentation, but they clearly wanted to split it up. Maybe they should have announced the next Direct during the January presentation. I think that's the only way they could have avoided this backlash
 

Delio

Member
Bumping this because Nintendo's UK website now has this information (which was apparently on the JP website all this time):

Once again, Nintendo's official website confirms friend management is on the console itself:



So it's pretty much confirmed now that friends management is doable on the console itself, contrary to what a lot of people previously thought. Also this page confirms that the headphone jack is "For connecting commercially available headphones, microphones, or headsets"

Also I'd like to draw your attention to this thread which confirms, at the very least, the phone app is not necessary for matchmaking with friends in games coming out in the launch window.


For the record, Nintendo's communication about all this has been quite terrible, so you won't see me defending that. But it's nice that there's finally a bit of clarification.

So Friend lists are prob just under the settings menu? That takes away a bit of my fear.
 
As I said in one of the other threads part of the problem that causes these issues and leads to confusion is Reggie's inability to clearly answer a question. The man has thought that it's cute to talk in riddles since 2008.

I definitely agree here for the most part. Reggie is pretty slick with providing answers that redirect a topic to a talking point they have planned. But as you stated, doing so doesn't make it completely clear that he's avoiding the initial question for a different talking point. He could certainly benefit from clearing the air before statements. Just something simple like "well we aren't talking about thing X yet, but thing Y is similiar and here's how that works".
 
Like I said it's a lose lose, because then people would be complaining that Reggie never gives any real answers. The only way to have avoided it is if Nintendo gave the details during the initial presentation, but they clearly wanted to split it up. Maybe they should have announced the next Direct during the January presentation. I think that's the only way they could have avoided this backlash
I suppose that this is true but they really have to do a better job with their messaging. It's not like they have a huge bank of goodwill already to burn through with the gaming community. I hope the Switch works out for them but a lot of the missteps since the event a couple of weeks ago feel like the XB1 reveal and backlash.
 

jmizzal

Member
As I said in one of the other threads part of the problem that causes these issues and leads to confusion is Reggie's inability to clearly answer a question. The man has thought that it's cute to talk in riddles since 2008.

Yea Reggie was just hyping up the app, and people took it as if it was the only way those things can be done on Switch. Instead it was just an extra way to do those things, just like Xbox one app and PSN app. But you know how gaf overreacts on things. Reggie should have been clear that it was an extra feature.
 

azyless

Member
Yea Reggie was just hyping up the app, and people took it as if it was the only way those things can be done on Switch. Instead it was just an extra way to do those things, just like Xbox one app and PSN app. But you know how gaf overreacts on things. Reggie should have been clear that it was an extra feature.
You literally don't know any of that. We've known for weeks there was microphone capability on the Switch, it doesn't mean shit for OS-based party chat.
 
You literally don't know any of that. We've known for weeks there was microphone capability on the Switch, it doesn't mean shit for OS-based party chat.

Wouldn't it make sense to pay for an app as an option with the online subscription? I could see people wanting it for the app to use their phone as a "hotspot" on the go if there's no Wifi for their Switch.

I'm not saying it's true, but this is how I feel Nintendo should do it.
 
You literally don't know any of that. We've known for weeks there was microphone capability on the Switch, it doesn't mean shit for OS-based party chat.

I don't think he's saying that the Switch will definitely have OS-based party chat... Just that things like voice chat and matchmaking with friends can definitely be done without the app. Just not necessarily at an OS/system level.
 

Tregard

Soothsayer
Wow who would have thought this was the default and the app was an enhanced feature/option?

Not people who were eager for outrage.

Youd think Nintendo would communicate the point clearly when it was obvious people thought the app was standalone.

Hell, we still don't know what the deal is with the app and what the Switch can do on it's own, this clears up nothing whatsoever.
 

Plum

Member
They needed to clear this shit up weeks ago.

People still think Xbox One cant play used games ffs.

I think the damage is already done.

The Xbox One (initially) not playing used games was broadcast on practically every gaming news sites and most regular news sites. It was one of the main things people took away from that initial presentation and was one of the main reasons Sony dominated so hard when E3/November arrived.

The Switch potentially having online features be done by a mobile isn't anywhere near as known, literally all that was said about online in the presentation was that it would be paid in Fall. The information about the online people will actually take to heart will be info that comes out in advertising or the likely UI/system Direct before launch. The only people who know/care are people on GAF who, mostly, are well informed enough to know exact details.
 

azyless

Member
Wouldn't it make sense to pay for an app as an option with the online subscription? I could see people wanting it for the app to use their phone as a "hotspot" on the go if there's no Wifi for their Switch.

I'm not saying it's true, but this is how I feel Nintendo should do it.
This has been discussed to death already. I don't have any issues with an app as an option.
As for the hotspot thing :
- those who have tethering in their data plan can already do this without an app. It takes me literally 2 taps to do this on my phone.
- those who don't aren't gonna magically bypass their carriers' limitations with a Nintendo app. Apple doesn't even allow tethering apps on the app store.

I don't think he's saying that the Switch will definitely have OS-based party chat... Just that things like voice chat and matchmaking with friends can definitely be done without the app. Just not necessarily at an OS/system level.
We don't know that either. Nintendo hasn't communicated on bluetooth headsets and there's no jack on any of the controllers.
Also I kind of expect better of a console in 2017 than only being able to use voice chat while waiting for my Mario Kart race to begin.
 
This has been discussed to death already. I don't have any issues with an app as an option.
As for the hotspot thing :
- those who have tethering in their data plan can already do this without an app. It takes me literally 2 taps to do this on my phone.
- those who don't aren't gonna magically bypass their carriers' limitations with a Nintendo app. Apple doesn't even allow tethering apps on the app store.

I'm glad it's been discussed to death. I haven't seen it. No need to come off as an ass.
 
Youd think Nintendo would communicate the point clearly when it was obvious people thought the app was standalone.

Hell, we still don't know what the deal is with the app and what the Switch can do on it's own, this clears up nothing whatsoever.

This clears up the notion that the app would be needed to manage a friends list, at the very least. A lot of people were convinced (based on the bare-bones UI) that there was no friends management on the console itself, which this debunks.

We don't know that either. Nintendo hasn't communicated on bluetooth headsets and there's no jack on any of the controllers.
Also I kind of expect better of a console in 2017 than only being able to use voice chat while waiting for my Mario Kart race to begin.

That's true that we don't know this definitely, although I think it's quite likely. And I don't disagree that this is still a pretty crappy way to handle party chat.
 

NotLiquid

Member
So Friend lists are prob just under the settings menu? That takes away a bit of my fear.

It could be hidden in some kind of user account menu instead. Perhaps you press your account icon in the top left corner and it brings you a drop down of things like Switch Account / Friend List etc.
 

Ivan 3414

Member
They needed to clear this shit up weeks ago.

People still think Xbox One cant play used games ffs.

I think the damage is already done.

Who are those people, in 2017?

At any rate, I'm pretty sure the idea of the Switch having OS issues isn't nearly as pervasive as the idea of the Wii U being a Wii accessory. If there's any damage at all, it won't do much, at least at launch.
 

jmizzal

Member
We don't know that either. Nintendo hasn't communicated on bluetooth headsets and there's no jack on any of the controllers.
Also I kind of expect better of a console in 2017 than only being able to use voice chat while waiting for my Mario Kart race to begin.

Being able to voice chat only in the lobby has nothing to do with the console, thats game based, if COD comes to Switch, you will be able to voice chat during the game same as every other system its on.
 

azyless

Member
Being able to voice chat only in the lobby has nothing to do with the console, thats game based, if COD comes to Switch, you will be able to voice chat during the game same as every other system its on.
I know and I'm specifically saying I expect better than this. And like I said even that isn't a certainty until we know whether it accepts bluetooth headsets or not.
 

XenodudeX

Junior Member
Wow who would have thought this was the default and the app was an enhanced feature/option?

Not people who were eager for outrage.

I mean, you still gotta use the app for voice chat and matchmaking, so there's plenty of outrage left to be had. And with good reason.
 
They needed to clear this shit up weeks ago.

People still think Xbox One cant play used games ffs.

I think the damage is already done.

Xbox One not being able to play used games was a fairly major story that even mainstream publications covered. Only us weirdos on sites like NeoGaf are following the Switch voice chat saga.
 
Being able to voice chat only in the lobby has nothing to do with the console, thats game based, if COD comes to Switch, you will be able to voice chat during the game same as every other system its on.
I wonder if this is a way of Nintendo giving developers more processing power to use in games. If the game wants to sacrifice power to use its own voice chat, that's on them, but OS-level voice chat on the other hand might require sacrificing a core that could be used for games, and that could negatively affect any game on the system.
 

atbigelow

Member
Specs stated it supports Bluetooth 4.1 when docked. Could support headphones (not sure what else they are planning to do with it), but sad it would only work at home. Probably trying to not murder battery.
 
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