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[PadWarrior]

I don't think Iwata would have approved of this.

 

[bryanee]

Sorry guys but im gonna say something positive here.

Having a fully dedicated app is great. Im sure most of tou have your phone by your side anyway.

Some advantages:
- chat will be easy
- voice chat will be easy for outdoors, no need for headset but will probably connect with bluetooth and will also be available directly trough the switch interface
- invites trough pus notifications when console is off
- social media integration
- less system resources used for Online gaming.
- countless other possibilities of having your phone connected to switch trough bluetooth like seeing whatsapp messages and stuff durimg play.

I want to hear the full details before i will judge. In app eshop would be nice as well.

Nothing wrong with having an app. The problem is if its the only way to do all that stuff which so far seems to be the case.

 

[Axass]

So what about Switch users without a smartphone?...

I guess they're taking a page out of pre-Xbox One Microsoft: "deal with it".

 

[Felix Lighter]

This is one of the most bizarre choices I can think of for a games console.

 

[bonchooski]

There is not a single soul that could have predicted this.

Maybe not predicting this actual thing but one had to assume Nintendo would absolutely go beyond stupid with their online strategy.

 

[Red Devil]

Is this DeNa at work?

So what about Switch users without a smartphone?...

Probably can't get a Switch in first place nor want to play games online, that's the weakest argument against this as absurd as it might be. Different case is what about those with Windows Phone.

 

[Lemaitre]

Reading some of the reponses in this thread all I can think of is this scene:

That's been the story this whole week tbh.

Ridiculous.

 

[Ataru]

but everyone has phone

Not everyone has a smartphone.
Not everyone has a smartphone running iOS or Android (Windows phones are a thing).
Not everyone has a phone new enough to run this app.

 

[Moneal]

For the people saying "it could be optional": why would you use an app on your phone for voice chat and matchmaking if you could do that from the Switch itself? Especially on-the-go.

Exactly. If you get a connection good enough to play online on, why can't you just use you console for matchmaking, lobbies, and chat? There would be no need for the app, if the system can do these things itself, on the go or at home.

 

[stuminus3]

This is 100% so Nintendo can offer modern online functions in their games without the liability of having to think of "the children" on the machine itself... basically solving an age old fear they've had of online services. Of course they'll never say that, but it's absolutely guaranteed this is the reason I'd say.

That doesn't really make any sense since almost every kid, especially one who is getting a switch, is going to own a phone and even if the phone is adult protected the kid has long figured out how to get around that shit.

I sometimes wonder if GAF exists in the same space as the real world.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

That's what's going to be hooked to the smartphone anyways, so why can't we hook it directly to the Switch?

Like, the concept is good in addition to the service on the Switch itself. If the console and do it, or I can connect via an app? Grand! App only? Nah.

Apparently Nintendo doesn't know that inline mics are a thing.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

This is very dumb

 

[Kusagari]

I repeat so people can calm down. The article says the app is planned to launch this summer. There are games releasing this spring confirmed to have online play. Of course switch can do the online functions by itself.

It can obviously put you in a Mario Kart match and whatnot. But can you invite a friend to Mario Kart through the OS itself?

That's highly in doubt.

 

[Crayolan]

That's what's going to be hooked to the smartphone anyways, so why can't we hook it directly to the Switch?

Like, the concept is good in addition to the service on the Switch itself. If the console and do it, or I can connect via an app? Grand! App only? Nah.

Wait, did they confirm no earbud jack? Wtf? This can't be real.

 

[lingpanda]

I remember a time when people were asking for Nintendo to go mobile. Now they are and people are taking issue with it. I'm in the same boat as many. It's brilliant as in a portable way to voice chat, but shouldn't be mandatory when playing at home. I'm torn.

 

[Kimawolf]

hmm i will reserve judgement, but I think I see what they are going for now.

 

[Goodacre0081]

bizarre.

i can see people starting up a PSn or XBL party and use that instead of this phone app.

 

[HeeHo]

Not everyone has a smartphone.
Not everyone has a smartphone running iOS or Android (Windows phones are a thing).
Not everyone has a phone new enough to run this app.

Count me in as someone who doesn't own a smart phone. I hope they make this app available for tablets somehow.

 

[shark sandwich]

Coming soon: the Nintendo Switch Netflix app. Look for it on the App Store and Google Play.

 

[Axass]

This is 100% so Nintendo can offer modern online functions in their games without the liability of having to think of "the children" on the machine itself... basically solving an age old fear they've had of online services. Of course they'll never say that, but it's absolutely guaranteed this is the reason I'd say.

Same thing I thought.

 

[L Thammy]

Awesome, so basically no online for someone with a Windows Phone.

I mean, haven't you already resigned to your fate at that point

 

[MADGAME]

I can't stop laughing

Both of those gifs could be 1-2 Switch games

 

[Dylan Sexbang]

It's like... having the xbox snap menu on your phone. eh. Not sure how i feel about that.

 

[Darklor01]

Im really interested to see this app in action. I think its unfortunate how many people want to just hate on something they have never tried or seen in . Action.

I hope the App is great. It just sounds like they are creating problems which might not need to exist and possibly costing their potential customers money unnecessarily.

Online service = $$, Cell Data plan costs for those out and about choosing to play online including data cap and possible overage charges (especially for those with kids who have no regard for cell data plan limits) = $$, paid wi-for hotspot options for those without access to free online when out and about = $$... etc.

I guess it may truly be a home console since I know I have wi-fi there... though, some have data caps there too (which wouldn't matter whether this paired through a Smart Phone or not).

... etc.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Please stop talking about RAM and the system resources. It's been said that the fucking Xbox and PS2 had voice chat, more than a decade ago.

I say whatever I want, who are you?

 

[GhaleonEB]

they can ask their parents

I don't own a smart phone. My parents are sadly unavailable.

Running their voice chat and matchmaking service over a phone app is so inept it's kind of awe-inspiring.

 

[PSFan]

I repeat so people can calm down. The article says the app is planned to launch this summer. There are games releasing this spring confirmed to have online play. Of course switch can do the online functions by itself.

Mario Kart may only have the random matchup thing for online at launch. Maybe the reason Splatoon is launching in summer is so it will line up with the launch of their app because it needs it.

 

[hwy_61]

You move your 'always online' requirements to the device you have with you that is always on and built specifically for messaging and communications, you decouple your social functions to a platform agnostic device that already has access to a list of your real world contacts and friends and can populate your friends list accordingly, you have a somewhat persistent ID for users so that problematic users can be identified and persistently banned at a more inconvenient level than buying a new console or creating a new username, and you are future proofed against having to recreate all of those social links in future, as you already have a device independent list that would let users of future hardware communicate with users of future IOS or android software.

The practicalities of seamlessly integrating your phone with a seperate device I have no idea how they would handle. Ideally, it would be something as simple as pairing your Switch with your phone by tapping your phones NFC with the Switches, and letting all those features be slaved into the game accordingly. Or even automatically letting you use your phone as a limited wifi hotspot when enabled.

The devils in the details though.
Conceptually its not stupid, especially if it is intended as their basis for all future social features.

Ok, you've made a good case for it. Maybe their app is more seamless than anything we've seen on console. Having this on a phone makes sense in the way that you've broke it down. Your last point about how they're planing to sync your phone with the Switch could be as easy as the four poker symbols the Wii U used to pair with the gamepad.

 

[Pastry]

So wait, the Switch has a headphone port but it's not capable of using mica? Or there is no headphone port?

 

[DangerMouse]

Laughable.

 

[onemanasylum]

Really stupid. I want to love nintendo but they do so much dumb shit.

 

[Trogdor1123]

I love how they gave us the opportunity to use up our data plans to exercise basic functions that should belong to a service we are paying for... Oh wait they made it all wifi so no data used right? Right?


It's insane. I was actually thinking that if they were able to combine the two apps so you are always connected it would be great. But only the one way? Wtf?

 

[LiK]

I don't own a smart phone. My parents are sadly unavailable.

Running their voice chat and matchmaking service over a phone app is so inept it's kind of awe-inspiring.

how is this possible? what phone are you currently using?

 

[InterMusketeer]

Wait, did they confirm no earbud jack? Wtf? This can't be real.

It has the earphone port. We saw it in the initial reveal trailer. No worries, it's just (part of) the online functionality that's fucked.

 

[darkwing]

great, now you also need to charge your phone while playing

 

[Rabid Dwarf 76]

You move your 'always online' requirements to the device you have with you that is always on and built specifically for messaging and communications, you decouple your social functions to a platform agnostic device that already has access to a list of your real world contacts and friends and can populate your friends list accordingly, you have a somewhat persistent ID for users so that problematic users can be identified and persistently banned at a more inconvenient level than buying a new console or creating a new username, and you are future proofed against having to recreate all of those social links in future, as you already have a device independent list that would let users of future hardware communicate with users of future IOS or android software.

The practicalities of seamlessly integrating your phone with a seperate device I have no idea how they would handle. Ideally, it would be something as simple as pairing your Switch with your phone by tapping your phones NFC with the Switches, and letting all those features be slaved into the game accordingly. Or even automatically letting you use your phone as a limited wifi hotspot when enabled.

The devils in the details though.
Conceptually its not stupid, especially if it is intended as their basis for all future social features.

I can see the logic here.

 

[NotLiquid]

Wait, did they confirm no earbud jack? Wtf? This can't be real.

The Switch has an earbud jack. I could have sworn I read someone pointing out that the Switch documentation specified that the headphone jack has mic support. I really don't get why there's not an option if that's the case.

 

[Moneal]

Is this DeNa at work?



Probably can't get a Switch in first place nor want to play games online, that's the weakest argument against this as absurd as it might be. Different case is what about those with Windows Phone.

I don't have a smart phone nor care to get one. I don't need to check my facebook all day when i am out of the house. I do play games on the go and play online all the time.

 

[Axass]

Not everyone has a smartphone.
Not everyone has a smartphone running iOS or Android (Windows phones are a thing).
Not everyone has a phone new enough to run this app.

Holy cow, I didn't think about that. You think it's not coming to the Windows store eh? Guess no online features for me eh Nintendo?

This is crazy.

 

[RichiRamjag]

It can obviously put you in a Mario Kart match and whatnot. But can you invite a friend to Mario Kart through the OS itself?

That's highly in doubt.

A lot of people are talking like you can't even join a random match on the system though lol.

 

[azyless]

I repeat so people can calm down. The article says the app is planned to launch this summer. There are games releasing this spring confirmed to have online play. Of course switch can do the online functions by itself.

I don't know about matchmaking but if the Switch was able to do voice chat they would have said so by now. Thinking it does is delusional at this point.

 

[Kodros]

Maybe this was mentioned but how am I supposed to listen to the game's audio when I have to have the headphones plugged into my phone? I only have so many ears Nintendo.

 

[Nydius]

Hello, voice of reason.

Voice of reason?
No, voice of speculation.

Reggie himself in the interview outright said the app was "how you’ll voice chat, that’s how you’ll do your matchmaking, and create your lobby". He didn't say it would be an option. He directly stated those things would be tied inherently to the app.

I'll take Reggie's direct words over the speculation that online games in spring means they'll have some built in solution.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Seriously, this could such a great forward thinking move to have it on the phone that casuals have.

 

[13ruce]

Well honestly i can see why people freak out and have concerns, they are about to maybe spent 300+- dollars on a new gaming system. Also while i'm a big fan of Nintendo games the company itself is known to make strange business decisions from time to time.

 

[Yurikerr]

how is this possible? what phone are you currently using?

I think his talking about a hypothesis.

 

[theWB27]

What if i get a call in the middle of matchmaking. You get a choice to end call or end matchmaking?

 

[ksamedi]

Nothing wrong with having an app. The problem is if its the only way to do all that stuff which so far seems to be the case.

And where do you get this information from? The app wont even be there at launch and Mario Kart is coming up in April. We dont have a full enough picture yet. Everybody is just jumping to conclusions

 

[Trogdor1123]

Sorry guys but im gonna say something positive here.

Having a fully dedicated app is great. Im sure most of you have your phone by your side anyway.

Some advantages:
- chat will be easy
- voice chat will be easy for outdoors, no need for headset but will probably connect with bluetooth and will also be available directly trough the switch interface
- invites through push notifications when console is off
- social media integration
- less system resources used for Online gaming.
- countless other possibilities of having your phone connected to switch trough bluetooth like seeing whatsapp messages and stuff durimg play.

I want to hear the full details before i will judge. In app eshop would be nice as well.

An app is a great idea, if used in tandem with a real service. Remember, you are paying for the opportunity to use a device you already have!

 

[RichiRamjag]

Maybe this was mentioned but how am I supposed to listen to the game's audio when I have to have the headphones plugged into my phone? I only have so many ears Nintendo.

That's a damn good point.

What if i get a call in the middle of matchmaking. You get a choice to end call or end matchmaking?

Id imagine games handle in game matchmaking the way they always have. This seems more geared towards private lobby's and groups with friends. At least I'm hoping that's the case.