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[Crayon]

It is a different app. But you have to disable the communication features system wide. Gating it behind an app is just an extra buffer for parents.

Furthermore: Even when enabled, a parent/grandparent/any responsible adult who hears inappropriate talk will naturally move to take the phone away and not the switch. They will blame the phone and not the switch. I know this grates against common sense but we must remember that commons sense is not so common.

 

[DrROBschiz]

In a day and age where everyone is trying to put as much functionality into a single device to make it easier on people, Nintendo insists on using multiple devices where people are already using one.

Nintendo math

Drop Console and Portable systems and combine them into one! BRILLIANT!

Force people to use 2 devices anyways

 

[thecouncil]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

 

[Peltz]

Wait, so you cant hear the in-game sounds and voice chat at the same time???

You will have to mix the sound yourself - DJ style.

 

[ImThatDood]

I'm not trying be a downer but it seems to me that Nintendo has this weird obsession with forcing you to take your attention away from the game. First with wiiU and the pretty useless screen on the controller. Now you have to use an app for voice chat. I mean isn't voice chat integrated into hardware to make it possible to communicate with and identify your friends/teammates without having to take your eyes off of the action? I mean imagine playing a team based, fast paced fps without knowing who is talking at any given moment. I don't know but this sounds like another bonehead moves in a series of bonehead moves Nintendo has made since the N64. They are slowly but surely destroying their great brand with these stupid moves they make. I want Nintendo to do well, but this obsession they have with gimmicks and faux innovation is killing them and in my eyes has severely damaged their reputation.

Before anyone jumps down my throat these are my observations and opinions, not facts.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

When trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective, I think this decision is in fact coming from a protect the children direction.

When playing games online, awful things will be heard. Awful things. Regardless of parental controls or any other factor, this decision may be a compromise meant to ensure that those awful things never come out of (or are said into) the switch itself.

This is factually not true if the parent can disable voice chat on a system level at their discretion.

And for the rest of us where kids are too young to play or don't or don't even have kids we can engage in current gen functionality.

 

[Nerazar]

Literally why would they do this? I could use Discord right now for free. Bet it'd be higher quality too.

It would be easier managing / messaging / calling your Nintendo friends via the app (since it's the online hub, like Steam) and their Nintendo ID then through Discord which has to be installed etc.

I mean, sure, you can also use Discord instead of PSN or XBL, but then again: why would you? That's another layer which has to be dealt with, even though the quality is probably better than with those services.

At the end of the day, Voice Chat is a subscriber feature anyways, so that might as well be behind the paywall. Party Chat without being able to actually join the party and play is a non-feature to me.

 

[whome0]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

I played safe and bought a smartphone. I have Windows Phone Lumia 630(Win8.0 no Win10 update available). I am positively sure they release Win8.1 companion app for Switch online service.

My track record is awesome, first Windows Phone Nokia 700 (Win7.5) and then Windows Phone Lumia 630(Win8.0). I am scared to make third choice it is a dead sentence to that cellphone brand.

 

[The Horror the horror]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

 

[Okami Haundo]

Maybe we've discussed this already, but do Reggie's statements contradict the wording on their website? The quote below seem like it "could" suggest that the app is primarily used for linking up with friends. What's the possibility that general chat can happen on the Switch itself while game independent party chat/friend invites are done through the app?

Our new dedicated smart device app will connect to Nintendo Switch and let you invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with friends during online matches in compatible games─all from your smart device.

A free, limited version of this app will be available for download in summer 2017.

 

[Dunlop]

If it was any other company than Nintendo I wouldn't give this a second though and say that it was poorly communicated and the "smart device" is actually the Switch.

Sadly, Nintendo is in their own world and I about 95% believe they are planning to implement it this way

 

[jennetics]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

Reggie's response: It's 2016, you don't have a smartphone? Everyone has a smartphone.

whatswrongwithyou.gif

 

[Crayon]

This is factually not true if the parent can disable voice chat on a system level at their discretion.

And for the rest of us where kids are too young to play or don't or don't even have kids we can engage in current gen functionality.

I understand what you are saying there because it's quite obvious that parental controls could do the job. But there are people out there who will not use the parental controls, or even turn them off if they were on be default, and then still blame the device for involving their kid in toxic chat.

Try to imagine a grandparent overhearing rough public chat in a game. It could evoke an emotional response beyond reason. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective which seems to be very conservative on these matters.

 

[Nerazar]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

Well, some people cannot use that feature, then. I don't have a TV, for example, so I cannot use a PS4 - Yoshida to the rescue!

No, but you're right: there has to be at least a basic level of friend management and online features built into the Switch as well to prevent that from happening. Nintendo cannot expect everyone to have the right device with the right firmware.

 

[BadWolf]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

They have a console for you, it's called a WiiU.

 

[MrBS]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

I belive Don Mattrick might have a solution for you.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I understand what you are saying there because it's quite obvious that parental controls could do the job. But there are people out there who will not use the parental controls, or even turn them off if they were on be default, and then still blame the device for involving their kid in toxic chat.

Try to imagine a grandparent overhearing rough public chat in a game. It could evoke an emotional response beyond reason. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective which seems to be very conservative on these matters.

then do party chat only?

 

[lenovox1]

It would be easier managing / messaging / calling your Nintendo friends via the app (since it's the online hub, like Steam) and their Nintendo ID then through Discord which has to be installed etc.

I mean, sure, you can also use Discord instead of PSN or XBL, but then again: why would you? That's another layer which has to be dealt with, even though the quality is probably better than with those services.

At the end of the day, Voice Chat is a subscriber feature anyways, so that might as well be behind the paywall. Party Chat without being able to actually join the party and play is a non-feature to me.

This should also make it easier to provide updates to the online service.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

I understand what you are saying there because it's quite obvious that parental controls could do the job. But there are people out there who will not use the parental controls, or even turn them off if they were on be default, and then still blame the device for involving their kid in toxic chat.

Try to imagine a grandparent overhearing rough public chat in a game. It could evoke an emotional response beyond reason. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective which seems to be very conservative on these matters.

Then the goal should be to make easier, better, simplier parental control tools. Aka: Incorporate it into the smartphone app. Not strip voice chat out the console.

Which doesn't make it easier for parents to control given kids have their own smartphones and tablets young as shit now.

then do party chat only?

Or friends list only. And route the friend request to the parents app for approval? There are ways to keep kids safe with solid rulesets without gimping the experience for those of us without that concern.

And if that's not something nintendo is interested in then they should state once and for all nintendo consoles are for kids only and that they're not interested in appealing to everyone.

 

[Crayon]

Then the goal should be to make easier, better, simplier parental control tools. Aka: Incorporate it into the smartphone app. Not strip voice chat out the console.

Which doesn't make it easier for parents to control given kids have their own smartphones and tablets young as shit now.

I literally don't know how to make it any clearer that I agree with you. For the third time; I'm trying to guess at their reasoning, however backwards it may be.

 

[Okami Haundo]

Then the goal should be to make easier, better, simplier parental control tools. Aka: Incorporate it into the smartphone app. Not strip voice chat out the console.

Which doesn't make it easier for parents to control given kids have their own smartphones and tablets young as shit now.

Nintendo has a dedicated app for parental controls and it allows you to disable online voice chat for certain games. So... yeah. It's likely that the "online app" won't have any parental control options.

 

[Metzhara]

This is probably the worst thing of all with this app solution. Since obviously game audio is not going to get routed into your phone....the whole thing sounds like a shit show

Or perhaps that's why it supports Bluetooth, to route the comms audio to the console itself.

I'm however still with you on that it will "sound like a shit show".

Spoiler

With Splatoon 2, I won't even be able to distinguish those splats.

 

[ImThatDood]

I understand what you are saying there because it's quite obvious that parental controls could do the job. But there are people out there who will not use the parental controls, or even turn them off if they were on be default, and then still blame the device for involving their kid in toxic chat.

Try to imagine a grandparent overhearing rough public chat in a game. It could evoke an emotional response beyond reason. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective which seems to be very conservative on these matters.

Even if Nintendo is being ultra conservative it makes no sense whatsoever. Keep voice chat off of the console so kids can't be exposed to foul language, but force them to use voice chat through a device where porn is very easily accessible........errrrm yeah

 

[daffy]

I noticed that the app doesn't release until Summer 2017, likely around Splatoon 2. So I guess Mario Kart players are SOL? There really needs to be more info on online features before launch

edit: just remembered voice chat was only in the lobby for MK8

 

[joecanada]

It would be easier managing / messaging / calling your Nintendo friends via the app (since it's the online hub, like Steam) and their Nintendo ID then through Discord which has to be installed etc.

I mean, sure, you can also use Discord instead of PSN or XBL, but then again: why would you? That's another layer which has to be dealt with, even though the quality is probably better than with those services.

At the end of the day, Voice Chat is a subscriber feature anyways, so that might as well be behind the paywall. Party Chat without being able to actually join the party and play is a non-feature to me.

You don't use discord on PSN because PSN voice chat is free , doesn't cost you cell phone time or charge and it makes sense to just connect to a friend or person in a game with a couple button pushes rather than phoning your friend up while gaming.

Nintendo solution is basically oh you want to game with your friend and chat ? Phone them dummy !

 

[Mammoth Jones]

I literally don't know how to make it any clearer that I agree with you. For the third time; I'm trying to guess at their reasoning, however backwards it may be.

Oh! I'd then argue their reasoning is sheer laziness or being completely out of touch with their base or plain not giving a shit enough to put the effort in.

 

[Panajev2001a]

You don't use discord on PSN because PSN voice chat is free , doesn't cost you cell phone time or charge and it makes sense to just connect to a friend or person in a game with a couple button pushes rather than phoning your friend up while gaming.

Nintendo solution is basically oh you want to game with your friend and chat ? Phone them dummy !

... or use your phone because while you are at it, why won't you spend money in our smartphone games too wink wink nudge...

 

[thecouncil]

not having a smartphone cuts out lobbies and chat which is a pretty big part of online gameplay. so if I dont have a one, do i get a discount on that subscription cost?

 

[chillybright]

I don't have a smartphone. Now what, Reggie?

 

[Fachasaurus]

I seriously can not wait until Microsoft buys Nintendo!!!

 

[WadeitOut]

I explained to my co workers that this is how voice chat will work on the Nintendo Chat and they legit thought I was joking.

 

[Rixa]

Any idea how much this app consumes phones battery?

Joycons may have nice battery life (20h?) before they need to be recharged by docking them to screen and then to docking unit. But what about phones?

Time to get my old Nokia Banana back...

 

[Okami Haundo]

You don't use discord on PSN because PSN voice chat is free , doesn't cost you cell phone time or charge and it makes sense to just connect to a friend or person in a game with a couple button pushes rather than phoning your friend up while gaming.

Nintendo solution is basically oh you want to game with your friend and chat ? Phone them dummy !

I had to look this up, but I just realized that PSN is the anomaly here. PS3 didn't support party chat at all due to their low amount of RAM. PS4 allows party chat even without PS+. Xbox One appears to lock party chat behind a subscription.

Any idea how much this app consumes phones battery?

Joycons may have nice battery life (20h?) before they need to be recharged by docking them to screen and then to docking unit. But what about phones?

Time to get my old Nokia Banana back...

We know basically nothing about the app besides a few key details about the functionality it's supposed to offer.

 

[Zemm]

Voice chat is on the phone to make it more difficult for 7 year olds and 30 year olds to communicate in Splatoon.

No big deal, use the app and act like adults. Understand this is a family friendly console.

So 100% of you have phones. 99% have their phone out on the couch when sitting in front of their console. And 98% are texting while playing games.

And thus Nintendo's solution is the worst thing introduced to mankind ever before it even comes out. Got it!

It's actually very simple. Voice chat takes up memory. With 4 gb you have to little for modern games.

The defence force for this is hilarious, hahaha

 

[azyless]

I had to look this up, but I just realized that PSN is the anomaly here. PS3 didn't support party chat at all due to their low amount of RAM. PS4 allows party chat even without PS+. Xbox One appears to lock party chat behind a subscription.

What's your point ? The Switch doesn't support voice chat at all and still makes you pay for it somehow.

The defence force for this is hilarious, hahaha

You're missing some "this is so innovative I can't believe Nintendo is ahead of the game on this !" posts. Absolutely crazy.

 

[daffy]

not having a smartphone cuts out lobbies and chat which is a pretty big part of online gameplay. so if I dont have a one, do i get a discount on that subscription cost?

It's a pretty big part of other consoles' online gameplay.

Both Splatoon and Mario Kart had little to no voice chat options. Clearly Nintendo doesn't see voice chat as a big deal. I think ARMS will probably lack voice chat as well.

I think its important to note that most multiplayer Nintendo games see voice chat as an extra feature, not a necessary requirement. And yeah, I'm sure there will be an opt out discount option for non smartphone users /s

 

[Okami Haundo]

What's your point ? The Switch doesn't support voice chat at all and still makes you pay for it somehow.

I'm not sure why you and others feel like this thread needs to be about two sides attacking each other. I didn't write that post to create an argument against any one point. I merely noted that PS4 offering free party chat is an anomaly when Xbox One charges for it. As a result, it's interesting to see Nintendo follow in Microsoft's footsteps rather than Sony. I have no intention of attacking or actively defending their stance.

 

[Fachasaurus]

The defence force for this is hilarious, hahaha

Seriously hurts seeing some of these responses where they go out of their way to defend it. As gamers we are pretty divisive on so many things but some aspects I just wish we could all just group up together and agree.

Voice chat via your phone is one of those aspects. If you think this is a good thing then you are flat out wrong. Mostly because this is already an option or more (Skype, Discord, etc) for everyone right now anyway and you don't need to have a subscription to pay for an app either!

Like seriously what is wrong with Nintendo. How can they be so extremely out of touch with their field?!

 

[Alexlf]

I really hope the "no voice chat on console" was a misunderstanding.

REALLY hope.

Spoiler

REALLY REALLY hope

 

[Lady Siara]

But where would you put those jacks in the grip? I can see that working with the pro controller, but the standard controllers are just too small for that.

I am really looking forward to that Online Direct...

I was mostly referencing the pro controller, yeah. I don't know if you could put anything in the joycon grip because it seems pretty lacking. I've only see the sides of it light up to say the joycons are attached, I doubt it has any other extra features.

The sides of the joycons themselves are thick enough for a 3.5mm jack but whether they have room internally is a different story.

 

[KingSnake]

I really hope the "no voice chat on console" was a misunderstanding.

REALLY hope.

Spoiler

REALLY REALLY hope

Do I really need to post this every 2 pages?

Reggie doubled down on it:

The bigger vision is that we are going to provide an overall online service, subscription-based, that not only will capture the multiplayer opportunity, but also the voice chat capability that we’re going to provide through a global app.

Instead of having some sort of bulky gamer headset, you’ll be able to do it right off your smartphone, put in your earbuds that you use for your standard mobile device. We think that’s a pretty sweet solution. That’s part of the overall opportunity that we see in a subscription service.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Maybe we've discussed this already, but do Reggie's statements contradict the wording on their website? The quote below seem like it "could" suggest that the app is primarily used for linking up with friends. What's the possibility that general chat can happen on the Switch itself while game independent party chat/friend invites are done through the app?

A PR statement like that wouldn't be exclusionary if the option to voice chat natively was abailable. It's the same kind of mental gymnastics people are using when discussing the whole "free NES game for 30 days" thing and trying so hard to find a way to word it in the favor. PR statements are not written that way. There would be zero reason for Nintendo to leave the fact that voice chat could be done through the console this ambiguous if it were really possible. Once you start playing the "but technically it doesn't say you can't, let's wait for more details!" card, you are grasping at straws:

 

[azyless]

I'm not sure why you and others feel like this thread needs to be about two sides attacking each other. I didn't write that post to create an argument against any one point. I merely noted that PS4 offering free party chat is an anomaly when Xbox One charges for it. As a result, it's interesting to see Nintendo follow in Microsoft's footsteps rather than Sony. I have no intention of attacking or actively defending their stance.

I'm not attacking you I just don't think what Nintendo offers is comparable to either Sony or Microsoft since it doesn't support voice chat at all. I wish Nintendo was following in their footsteps instead of offering the same voice chat service as the original Xbox from 2002.

I was mostly referencing the pro controller, yeah. I don't know if you could put anything in the joycon grip because it seems pretty lacking. I've only see the sides of it light up to say the joycons are attached, I doubt it has any other extra features.
The sides of the joycons themselves are thick enough for a 3.5mm jack but whether they have room internally is a different story.

That's light from the joycons themselves, the grip doesn't have LEDs.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Wait, is there a headphone port on the joycon? I mean, how can we use headsets for audio while docked?

 

[Blackpanther25]

Worse idea ever from Nintendo. You can use any free voip app on your if you want to voice chat with you friends instead of the Nintendo app.

 

[Mariolee]

Reggie's response: It's 2016, you don't have a smartphone? Everyone has a smartphone.

whatswrongwithyou.gif

But its 2017. Checkmate Reggie.

 

[thecouncil]

It's a pretty big part of other consoles' online gameplay.

Both Splatoon and Mario Kart had little to no voice chat options. Clearly Nintendo doesn't see voice chat as a big deal. I think ARMS will probably lack voice chat as well.

I think its important to note that most multiplayer Nintendo games see voice chat as an extra feature, not a necessary requirement. And yeah, I'm sure there will be an opt out discount option for non smartphone users /s

yeah, but now we're all gonna be paying money. though until we see that cost, i guess it doesn't matter. if its $60 / year, i'd expect equivalent services to the other consoles (especially equivalent services to other people who are playing the same system but have a smartphone) and that includes lobby / chat.

 

[Subtervotion]

I understand what you are saying there because it's quite obvious that parental controls could do the job. But there are people out there who will not use the parental controls, or even turn them off if they were on be default, and then still blame the device for involving their kid in toxic chat.

Try to imagine a grandparent overhearing rough public chat in a game. It could evoke an emotional response beyond reason. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to see it from Nintendo's perspective which seems to be very conservative on these matters.

And yet the competition (Sony, ms) have these features and the 'problems' associated with them and are wiping the floor with Nintendo sales wise. This line of logic about the kids and parents and shit..... It doesn't work. Because we already have it happening in the real work with xbl and ps+ and kids are all over that shit.

 

[jennetics]

But its 2017. Checkmate Reggie.

Did...did you just correct...the Fils Aime?

 

[Cob32]

Would this work reliably on the go with just mobile data or require wifi? Also would voice comms have high data use if it does work?