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[FantasticMrFoxdie]

wow so that's really happening, huh?

From what we've seen there's no way to send text messages, only voice chat.

use your phone to send a text?

 

[Charles Brandon]

 

[blue_phazon]

you mean all of this stuff

Yes. Like it was on consoles for the last 10+ years

 

[Theswweet]

Hmmm... JP and NA/EU versions of Splatoon 2 differ, hoping I can still invite people to play from different regions no problem.

 

[Equanimity]

So there's no cross-game voice chat?

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Are they really branding this Switch Online? That seems short sighted, do they want to have to rename their online service every time they launch a new console?

You realize Switch is suppose to be their new line of consoles, right? Their Gameboy, their Wii, their Playstation, their Xbox.

 

[Belker]

Each game will requires its own...What?

I can understand not opening a game up to a system, but this reads like each title will require its own mini-app or platform.

Anyone else reading it like that? I hope I'm wrong, because what makes XBL work is that I'm using the same chat and party to interact in any game.

 

[MisterR]

Nah, it's a cool idea and especially as a secondary way to access the online features.

But as the ONLY method of online play for the Switch, it's unacceptable IMO. Literally no reason we should have to be tethering two different devices just to get voice chat and lobbies.

Yep, it would be a cool add on, as the only choice it's beyond stupid.

 

[RecRoulette]

I'm probably one of the few who love this whole app idea.

I love it as well, but I still don't think it should've been the only option.

 

[Arc]

All of these features should be a part of the actual fucking game. This is beyond baffling.

 

[bltn]

Still don't see the point of having this on a smartphone. Just integrate it into the device god damn it.

 

[Symphonic]

So there's no cross-game voice chat?

Looks like there will be a base “room” in the main app that you can invite people to, so potentially.

Does the Switch have a mic? Could this be as simple as Nintendo forgetting to add a mic and now they’re panicking for an alternate solution?

 

[SuperEpicMan]

I am not really bothered by this app, but I am a pretty pissed about the lack of save data transfer. I love my console, but I feel like Nintendo has no excuse for not prioritising this feature. The Switch has sold incredibly well, and yet Nintendo are moving at a glacial pace.

 

[Quonny]

Each game will requires its own...What?

I can understand not opening a game up to a system, but this reads like each title will require its own mini-app or platform.

Anyone else reading it like that? I hope I'm wrong, because what makes XBL work is that I'm using the same chat and party to interact in any game.

It seems like you just need the one Nintendo Switch Online app for things like friendslists, messaging, voice, text, invites, etc etc.

The extra app is just for the game itself and shows stats and other game-specific stuff. Not necessary to play online. Like a companion app some games have.

 

[MercuryLS3]

I'm probably one of the few who love this whole app idea.

Yeah I think it's fine too. I can use my airpods for voice chat, and as long as the app is good, should be pretty easy to match up with friends and play.

 

[pretty done]

All of these features should be a part of the actual fucking game. This is beyond baffling.

Yea it's a good thing I have no friends to invite because there's no way I'd be doing it through my phone. Piece of shit Note just keeps shutting itself off and getting stuck in boot loop.

 

[HvySky]

I wonder why Nintendo thinks I would ever use this app for online chat when I could just boot up Discord and hop on a server. If I have to use an external device regardless, I might as well use the thing I know works and everyone else I know is already accustomed to.

I'm enjoying my Switch quite a bit so far, but as usual Nintendo's online integration is completely backwards.

Edit: Wait, it's only compatible with Splatoon 2 at launch? So Arms and MK8 get the shaft? Jesus, Nintendo, they're your games!

 

[Jaded Alyx]

There big question for me is... Which third party games will receive support in the app?

 

[Cert.in.Death]

I expect for this to be worse than it sounds

 

[jdmonmou]

I won't have an issue using the app at home for voice chat, but using this on the go is going to be a pain.

 

[Belker]

It seems like you just need the one Nintendo Switch Online app for things like friendslists, messaging, voice, text, invites, etc etc.

The extra app is just for the game itself and shows stats and other game-specific stuff. Not necessary to play online. Like a companion app some games have.

Ah, that would make sense.

I mean, given Nintendo's previous history 'making sense' might not be something we should look for, but I suspect you're more correct than me.

 

[boiled goose]

Splatoon compatibility only?

Another piece meal non solution. Nintendo fails at integrated online services 5 systems in a row...

Shit is frustrating

Having companion apps is a great idea, but there should be basic integrated online services on the system itself.

One step forward, two steps back

 

[moltonasty]

There big question for me is... Which third party games will receive support in the app?

What third party games?

Spoiler

 

[Dimentios]

The Nintendo Switch™ Online app for iOS and Android will be available soon.

So no Windows Phone then. So I can't play online with my friends? I don't care for my stats or voice chat. Can I join my friend's lobby without this app?

edit: omg, I am a member!

 

[KingSnake]

Each game will requires its own...What?

I can understand not opening a game up to a system, but this reads like each title will require its own mini-app or platform.

Anyone else reading it like that? I hope I'm wrong, because what makes XBL work is that I'm using the same chat and party to interact in any game.

I think the general features like voice chat and lobby will be in the main app and the miniapps are for specific features like in this case the maps schedule and so on.

 

[GuessMyUserName]

I wish Nintendo could treat the Switch better with its advantages as a tablet. Like really all smartphone stuff they do should be available on the Switch, just like iOS games running on iPad tablets.

 

[JustSurvive]

What's gonna be great is when there's an update on the app that breaks it on certain phones/OS so you will be unable to use online features. For a console. Because of a phone app.

 

[Twenty7KVN]

this app would be so damn cool if key functionality was also available on the console itself

Yup this should be a companion app.

 

[jts]

I wonder why Nintendo thinks I would ever use this app for online chat when I could just boot up Discord and hop on a server. If I have to use an external device regardless, I might as well use the thing I know works and everyone else I know is already accustomed to.

I'm enjoying my Switch quite a bit so far, but as usual Nintendo's online integration is completely backwards.

They don't mind if you don't use their specific app since you are paying anyway if you play online.

However you won't be able to create lobbies and invite friends and such on Discord.

 

[franklyshankly]

What's gonna be great is when there's an update on the app that breaks it on certain phones/OS so you will be unable to use online features. For a console. Because of a phone app.

What about rooted phones. Wasn't that an issue with Pokemon Go or Mario Run?

 

[HvySky]

They don't mind if you don't use their specific app since you are paying anyway if you play online.

However you won't be able to create lobbies and invite friends and such on Discord.

And therein lies the problem. Requiring the use of a mobile app to use basic online features that should be part of the console itself is incomprehensible.

 

[KingSnake]

But needing to make each game specifically compatible with the app sound like a pain in the ass for the third party games.

 

[The Last One]

Not excited for this.

 

[Twenty7KVN]

So no Windows Phone then. So I can't play online with my friends? I don't care for my stats or voice chat. Can I join my friend's lobby without this app?

edit: omg, I am a member!

Why would Nintendo support a dead format? You need to move on to a android or a ios device.

 

[diablos991]

So can I voice chat with random groups or do I need to be friends with all these people first?

 

[Symphonic]

But needing to make each game specifically compatible with the app sound like a pain in the ass for the third party games.

Wouldn’t they just use their own online service within the game?

Also if the voice chat rests in just the default app, they wouldn’t need to make a specific mini app. Just point people there.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

What third party games?

Spoiler

Well I knew that joke was coming, but seriously, it's a must for stuff like FIFA and Rocket League.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Like i get having a companion app, PSNs companion app is pretty good too...but jesus locking core, important features on to that sounds so counter-intuitive.

so frustrating

So no Windows Phone then. So I can't play online with my friends? I don't care for my stats or voice chat. Can I join my friend's lobby without this app?

edit: omg, I am a member!

it's sounding like you can't. Nintendo PR guy: "Why would anyone want to use a Window's Phone"

Welcome to GAF! lol

 

[blue_phazon]

So no Windows Phone then. So I can't play online with my friends? I don't care for my stats or voice chat. Can I join my friend's lobby without this app?

edit: omg, I am a member!

Well truth be told, you did get a Windows phone for some bizarre reason

 

[jorgejjvr]

Can't wait to have a gaf team go online and voice chat.

Anyone has team names in mind? Lol

Actually, not even sure you make names lol

 

[pretty done]

But needing to make each game specifically compatible with the app sound like a pain in the ass for the third party games.

Somehow I doubt this is going to be an issue. How many multiplayer focused third party games are going to come out on a Nintendo console?

Already established games like Rocket League I imagine will just use their own solution. Probably required for crossplay anyway.

 

[KingSnake]

Wouldn’t they just use their own online service within the game?

Probably, but this kind of beats the purpose of the app, no? Plus how will that work with the online tax?

 

[Shiggy]

So can I voice chat with random groups or do I need to be friends with all these people first?

Friends only.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

I had various Windows phones for a number of years but the situation was dire back then so I did the reasonable thing and left that platform behind. I can only imagine how bad things are now.

 

[Devilgunman]

So any game compatible with the app will have its own app UI? Shouldn't the interface be more universal and used across all compatible games?

 

[diablos991]

Friends only.

Garbage.
I don't want to add people to my friends list. Would rather just communicate with the team I matchmake with.

Nintendo just can't get online right no matter how hard they try.

 

[-shadow-]

This still hurts my brain to understand how their line of thinking was for this app...

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

But needing to make each game specifically compatible with the app sound like a pain in the ass for the third party games.

Well considering their own first party games that are already out won't be compatible with it at launch should be a telling sign.

 

[RoyalLaFlame]

Why use a smartphone for voice chat? Why? What's the point? Just WHY?

 

[rudger]

Question for JapanGAF: the whole app idea seems very strange, but I recall there being a phone app Nintendo released only in Japan that let you connect your 3DS to your phone's network. With this in mind, the app makes perfect sense as your phone would already be required if you wanted to play online while on the go. Did the 3DS app actually work? Do people still use it? ...can we expect similar functionality for the Switch(ok, nobody would know that one quite yet)?