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[RulkezX]

I see this as Nintendo killing two birds with one stone.

1. Prevent voice chat from chewing through battery life.
2. Prevent very young children from being exposed to toxic voice chat.

Nintendo is willing to piss off core gamers if it means checking those boxes.

My kids and all their friends sit in party chat all the time. They're not needing protected from salty grown ups pissed off an 8 year old just beat them on whatever game.

Parents don't need Nintendo to play caretaker on the platforms that are popular , so why would they need to on Switch ?

 

[Ninja Dom]

So if I'm right about what "enhanced" matchmaking implies, players really will be limited to random ranked/unranked matches until the app arrives.

Seems plausible with Nintendo.

Have you played Splatoon on Wii U? Nintendo's biggest online game. No voice chat, random ranked/unranked matches. Exactly what you describe.

 

[KingSnake]

I think this is a good move. Let's keep things separated. Let the Switch be the best gaming device. Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps. I'm not going to use it anyway. So lets have that experience on my phone.

It's the same with in-car entertainment. I've a 2015 Renault Clio and they can't figure it out. The console is way too slow. You can only scroll trough your playlist with buttons (3 songs at a time, then wait 3 sec. for the next screen to appear). Navigation is outdated, ugly and has no POI. I always use my phone to navigate, listen to podcasts/music, make phone calls etc.

TL;DR: I think it's smart that Nintendo knows its weak points. And that they don't try to reinvent the wheel.

So you carry also a phone holder with you when you play on Switch? To have the hands free, you know? To actually be able to play on Switch.

 

[Speely]

What exactly is being set up in this scenario though? I mean, I'm open to ideas because theory crafting is fun to a certain extent. If the smartphone is not the direct gateway for the mic and the lobby access, then what is it used for? What is being calibrated? What is the purpose of it? What does the smartphone do that the Switch cannot?

Ostensibly, the smartphone provides the app and the signal to and from which the Switch communicates. The phone app would have to be the direct mic application, of course, and probably also the entirety of what would otherwise be lobby-based OS stuff, but as far as user functionality is concerned, there could be streaming communication/synch between the phone app and the (maybe) Switch functionality that would let someone control their info from their Switch once they set it up via their phone.

Basically: If they are gonna force this kind of thing, it's not unreasonable to think that they might provide a way to not juggle our phones and consoles all the time.

 

[zoukka]

He's right about the fact that doing all that with a phone could be fast and cool.

But the problem lies in it being the only way to do it. Which is fucked up beyond words.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Have you played Splatoon on Wii U? Nintendo's biggest online game. No voice chat, random ranked/unranked matches. Exactly what you describe.

Sounds awesome and totally worth an annual fee.

 

[Metal B]

I think this is a good move. Let's keep things separated. Let the Switch be the best gaming device. Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps. I'm not going to use it anyway. So lets have that experience on my phone.

It's the same with in-car entertainment. I've a 2015 Renault Clio and they can't figure it out. The console is way too slow. You can only scroll trough your playlist with buttons (3 songs at a time, then wait 3 sec. for the next screen to appear). Navigation is outdated, ugly and has no POI. I always use my phone to navigate, listen to podcasts/music, make phone calls etc.

TL;DR: I think it's smart that Nintendo knows its weak points. And that they don't try to reinvent the wheel.

But the app would still be made from Nintendo. It isn't a 3rd Party App ... well, i guess. Maybe they allow 3rd Party apps in the future?

 

[mAcOdIn]

I think this is a good move. Let's keep things separated. Let the Switch be the best gaming device. Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps. I'm not going to use it anyway. So lets have that experience on my phone.

It's the same with in-car entertainment. I've a 2015 Renault Clio and they can't figure it out. The console is way too slow. You can only scroll trough your playlist with buttons (3 songs at a time, then wait 3 sec. for the next screen to appear). Navigation is outdated, ugly and has no POI. I always use my phone to navigate, listen to podcasts/music, make phone calls etc.

TL;DR: I think it's smart that Nintendo knows its weak points. And that they don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Seriously? I mean, if they can't make a good voice chat and friend system on their console why expect they'll do better on a phone? If they do it well on the phone they could've done it well on the Switch, and if their implementation on the Switch was going to suck, well, it'll suck on the phone as well.

 

[Mahonay]

What I want to understand is why. They had to put resources into making that smartphone app...why wasn't that just baked into the Switch's OS instead of paying programmers to build a smartphone app?

These decisions are perplexing from many angles.

 

[Hasney]

Most of this doesn't bother me as I barely use the online features, but the mathmaking one is weird. If I can't click quick match in MK8 then there's a problem.

Will wait for further clarification.

 

[Big Green Anus]

It does not make since how the Vita can do voice chat, matchmaking and lobbies natively compared to a device that's much more powerful to handle these kinds of things.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Have you played Splatoon on Wii U? Nintendo's biggest online game. No voice chat, random ranked/unranked matches. Exactly what you describe.

This barebones approach was (barely) acceptable when the online was free. Now there's going to be a paywall?

 

[Semajer]

Does the Switch come with a roll of Sellotape so that I can attach my phone to my head like a headset?

 

[ksamedi]

What exactly is being set up in this scenario though? I mean, I'm open to ideas because theory crafting is fun to a certain extent. If the smartphone is not the direct gateway for the mic and the lobby access, then what is it used for? What is being calibrated? What is the purpose of it? What does the smartphone do that the Switch cannot?

I dont think it has a spesific advantage aside from having the app available to you even when the console is off, but I do believe that everything will be controllable through the Switch. The reasoning for them to do it this way probably has something to do with the specs of the Switch. Maybe doing all those things internally would take up too much resources in handheld mode ?

 

[Markitron]

Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps.

They are charging for it now, that changes things quite a bit wouldn't you say? Maybe they need to try a little harder this time.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I'm gonna wait until this console inevitably bombs and pick one up cheap on ebay.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

No, it's not illogical. There are literally people chatting in this thread with this very issue. I know people with this very issue. Fuck, until recently I would have had this issue. Many gamers have little disposable spending and prioritize that money towards consoles, particularly younger players who make up the majority of Nintendo's target market. Not everyone has a recent iPhone or Android device, a statement especially true among players in the pre-teen and teen brackets, and there is literally no conceivable reason to require one to.

You also continue to ignore the other issues, but whatever. This is getting tiring.

And nah, look on the last page. Nintendo's ran through this multiple times. As I said, it's technically conceivable (if only barely so) that Nintendo is horrifically messing up the messaging here, but no, it is not reasonable to assume that's the case. Nintendo has repeated made it quite clear we actually all have this quite right. In fact, they've done so far more times than I've realized.

See: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=228663734#post228663734
and: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=228663913#post228663913

This isn't conjecture. We don't not have info. This is taking the exact damn words Nintendo has given to us five times now at face value.

Regarding core gamers without phones being a real ,substantial number, it'd be nice if you had something better than anecdotal "evidence."

And I've read their statements. We don't know what the UI is or what all its features are. We don't know how minimally or majorly intrusive it is. We don't know what the app consists of. We know nothing regarding execution and presentation.

This is all still panic over hot air.

 

[duckroll]

Yes actually to be fair, I don't see a problem with the reading that a phone app as a chat/social layer is preferable to having it on the console. But the issue here is that you always want to provide redundancies for users to cast the widest possible net just to provide a useful service. If you have a wireless controller, it is always preferable to allow a wired usb connection to the console too just in case. In the same way, a system agnostic app on phones should complement basic chat and party functions on an OS level, not be the only option. What is more convenient for one person might not be so convenient for another. If you want people to pay a subscription fee for a service, you should also consider the needs and wants of the people potentially paying and offer the most options possible.

 

[Ferr986]

I think this is a good move. Let's keep things separated. Let the Switch be the best gaming device. Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps. I'm not going to use it anyway. So lets have that experience on my phone.

It's the same with in-car entertainment. I've a 2015 Renault Clio and they can't figure it out. The console is way too slow. You can only scroll trough your playlist with buttons (3 songs at a time, then wait 3 sec. for the next screen to appear). Navigation is outdated, ugly and has no POI. I always use my phone to navigate, listen to podcasts/music, make phone calls etc.

TL;DR: I think it's smart that Nintendo knows its weak points. And that they don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Isn't putting online infrastructure behind a smartphone app instead that on the console like everyone does reinventing the wheel?

 

[Speely]

This barebones approach was (barely) acceptable when the online was free. Now there's going to be a paywall?

Hah. Yeah there is going to have to be some serious 'splainin to do to get people behind this model. On paper, it's cray.

 

[Mahonay]

Most of this doesn't bother me as I barely use the online features, but the mathmaking one is weird. If I can't click quick match in MK8 then there's a problem.

Will wait for further clarification.

.

It's not that hard to parse from my perspective. What I read it as is - if you boot up a game and go into "Online" and "Find Match", as long as you are subscribed, you're all good.

But if you want to create parties via your friend list, join games as a group, have group voice/text chat, etc, you will need the smartphone app.

That's how I read it.

 

[Oregano]

He's right about the fact that doing all that with a phone could be fast and cool.

But the problem lies in it being the only way to do it. Which is fucked up beyond words.

Yup, having a touch screen interface and being able to chat via a phone whilst docked sounds immensely useful but it should be an option.

It's not difficult...

 

[Milly Osworth]

Remember when Nintendo fans here were shiiting on Smart Glass? Now the same types are defending this nonsense.

Never change, guys.

Yeah? Can you show me the list of people that bashed smartglass, praise this now AND are Nintendo fans?

I'm impressed by your memory!!

 

[mAcOdIn]

Regarding core gamers without phones being a real ,substantial number, it'd be nice if you had something better than anecdotal "evidence."

And I've read their statements. We don't know what the UI is or what all its features are. We don't know how minimally or majorly intrusive it is. We don't know what the app consists of. We know nothing regarding execution and presentation.

This is all still panic over hot air.

What else do they need to know?! Is the UI of the app going to somehow making it worthwhile to people against it? The presentation will somehow make up for needing a separate app? They know enough to panic or not.

 

[KingSnake]

Does the Switch come with a roll of Sellotape so that I can attach my phone to my head like a headset?

Problem solved:

More neon colours available on Nintendo shop.

 

[IceMarker]

Jim Sterling was right, Nintendo can't stop making "Nintendo moves".

 

[zoukka]

Yes actually to be fair, I don't see a problem with the reading that a phone app as a chat/social layer is preferable to having it on the console. But the issue here is that you always want to provide redundancies for users to cast the widest possible net just to provide a useful service. If you have a wireless controller, it is always preferable to allow a wired usb connection to the console too just in case. In the same way, a system agnostic app on phones should complement basic chat and party functions on an OS level, not be the only option. What is more convenient for one person might not be so convenient for another. If you want people to pay a subscription fee for a service, you should also consider the needs and wants of the people potentially paying and offer the most options possible.

It's amazing to see that even the Wii U bombing did not make them realize anything about what they are doing wrong. In fact nintendo seems to think that they weren't cryptic and cumbersome enough. I guess they need a complete and total shakedown from the executive level for the company to ever learn from their mistakes.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Does the Switch come with a roll of Sellotape so that I can attach my phone to my head like a headset?

Get yourself a GoJo:

 

[LeonSPBR]

When you don't have a smart phone :/

We are so fucked now.

 

[Mahonay]

Yeah? Can you show me the list of people that bashed smartglass, praise this now AND are Nintendo fans?

I'm impressed by your memory!!

He's been waiting for his moment to avenge the Smartglass.

 

[Bendo]

What I want to understand is why. They had to put resources into making that smartphone app...why wasn't that just baked into the Switch's OS instead of paying programmers to build a smartphone app?

These decisions are perplexing from many angles.

Probably because they didn't want to dedicate OS resources to something not that many people would use. They would also have had to stick a mic jack on one of the Joy-Cons since that's the default controller, and considering the already steep price and cramped internal space that might not have been very desirable. The alternative would be Bluetooth, but I doubt that would have been any less controversial.

 

[GankzyMcfly]

I think this is a good move. Let's keep things separated. Let the Switch be the best gaming device. Why build all that online stuff into the Switch when everybody has a phone. Nintendo proved time and time again that they can't build a solid OS + apps. I'm not going to use it anyway. So lets have that experience on my phone.

It's the same with in-car entertainment. I've a 2015 Renault Clio and they can't figure it out. The console is way too slow. You can only scroll trough your playlist with buttons (3 songs at a time, then wait 3 sec. for the next screen to appear). Navigation is outdated, ugly and has no POI. I always use my phone to navigate, listen to podcasts/music, make phone calls etc.

TL;DR: I think it's smart that Nintendo knows its weak points. And that they don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Isnt that exactly what their doing though by changing/reinventing the way voice chat has always been handled on consoles?

 

[Ninja Dom]

Sounds awesome and totally worth an annual fee.

This barebones approach was (barely) acceptable when the online was free. Now there's going to be a paywall?

Eh?

Splatoon 2 will allow enhanced matchmaking and voice chat. These are things original Splatoon never had.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

What else do they need to know?! Is the UI of the app going to somehow making it worthwhile to people against it? The presentation will somehow make up for needing a separate app? They know enough to panic or not.

Yes, how the UI functions (if it requires you to constantly juggle your phone, or if it is conducive to intuitive online matchmaking) makes a difference. Other potentially unrevealed features can make a difference.

 

[Harmen]

What the fuck is this shit.

And now you gotta drain your phone's battery as well when gaming online with the switch.

 

[Buzzi]

Alienate its shrinking core Nintendo fanbase - at least the people that are susceptible to leaving them. They know they can shit in the mouths of the crazy fanboys that will support anything and get away with it. But we know that those people are in the minority.

I mean, it's not like they're vuluntarily trying to kill their still to be paid service. They're doing it without (well, according to Reggie and what we know) understending why it can be even worse than the friend codes era. Sure they think that paying for a good service (and good NES roms...) will be accepted, but the creepy thing is they are genuinely convinced of the positivity of some features. And DeNA is in the game too, they know OSs and modern services, how in hell could they approve the delocalization of half OS in an external device?

 

[waxer]

Terrible pr as usual.

Think it's a bout time to earn some cash doing fake news. Wii u was a Wii add-on switch is a cellphone add-on.

Better to keep mouths shut if they don't know what they really doing. Better to say nothing till ready than release unclear messages that open a billion more questions.

 

[KingSnake]

Man, if the smartphone uses both the data connection and the bluetooth and you need to access the screen every 3 minutes for matchmaking (Splatoon for example) for this it will die faster than the Switch. Maybe that's the idea, to make Switch battery look good?

 

[DAHGAMING]

Its a complete joke the way they handle some stuff now days. To have the front to charge for an online service that requires you to also own a separate smart device to run the comms and matchmaking its just behind the times. Reminds me of ps2 online were alot of games didnt have voice chat so you needed a pc for teamspeak ect, but you know that was ok as it was 2003. The only thing is if you can actually do all this on the console, and the app is seperate like an option for on the go, but by the way hes worded it that looks unlikely. Whats he got against bulky headsets aswell? sounds like hes trying hard to justify another Nintendo joke.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Eh?

Splatoon 2 will allow enhanced matchmaking and voice chat. These are things original Splatoon never had.

Touting those features when the "enhanced matchmaking" (aka basic options that everyone else on the planet refers to as matchmaking) and voice chat are behind a paywall and forced onto a needless app is hardly impressive.

 

[patapuf]

No.

Youre saying it's logical that someone who's not in a position to own a common, current smartphone would reasonably purchase a completely optional $300 luxury entertainment device. This makes no sense.

Also, yeah, I agree Nintendo's communication sucks here. That this thread even exists is their fault. That Switch presentation had numerous issues.

But, the fact still remains that we have no info. Any decision you make now is premature. Any calls you make are conjecture without solid insight.

Nintendo put a lot of efforts on kids on their presentation.

Many kids don't have smartphones.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Eh?

Splatoon 2 will allow enhanced matchmaking and voice chat. These are things original Splatoon never had.

Through your phone!

Hope you have an iPhone or Android!

Please understand!!

 

[Oregano]

I mean, it's not like they're vuluntarily trying to kill their still to be paid service. They're doing it without (well, according to Reggie and what we know) understending why it can be even worse than the friend codes era. Sure they think that paying for a good service (and good NES roms...) will be accepted, but the creepy thing is they are genuinely convinced of the positivity of some features. And DeNA is in the game too, they know OSs and modern services, how in hell could they approve the delocalization of half OS in an external device?

You have to consider that Switch failing and Nintendo dropping out of consoles is directly beneficial to DeNA.

 

[KingSnake]

Through your phone!

Hope you have an iPhone or Android*!

Please understand!!

*A not rooted Android, most likely.

 

[Ninja Dom]

What the fuck is this shit.

And now you gotta drain your phone's battery as well when gaming online with the switch.

Through your phone!

Hope you have an iPhone or Android!

Please understand!!

Not quite.

The way I see it is that you can play online without the app.

The Switch will turn on, connect to a network, see your Nintendo ID and validate your account status. Like what the Wii U does now. And you can play online games online.

BUT to manage invites & play dates, voice chat and lobbies you can use a smartphone app.

EDIT: That's why I asked if you've played Splatoon. My guess is that Splatoon 2 without the smartphone app will work online exactly as Splatoon currently does on Wii U.

 

[HotHamBoy]

You have to consider that Switch failing and Nintendo dropping out of consoles is directly beneficial to DeNA.

Not quite.

The way I see it is that you can play online without the app.

The Switch will turn on, connect to a network, see your Nintendo ID and validate your account status. Like what the Wii U does now. And you can play online games online.

BUT to manage invites & play dates, voice chat and lobbies you must use a smartphone app.

Fixed

 

[wildfire]

I think a smartphone app is a great idea to have all your friends in there and use it to setup games, especially if the app can somehow connect to and launch the game. A smartphone is simply better at this, and I'm sure it also ties into a Miitomo like customization system, which also makes sense to have as an app.

Relegating the voice chat to the app is moronic however. Once you setup the game, you shouldn't have to have a second device next to you all the time, that's really dumb.

Then again I fucking hate voice chat and the less squeeky preteens whine during my game the better. So please throw up even more hurdles Nintendo.

But it's a not as big of a barrier for younger gamers. Talking to other adults some of their kids already chat through their phones which is why I wonder how younger GAF members feel about this.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

Nintendo put a lot of efforts on kids on their presentation.

Many kids don't have smartphones.

Going by how they have always approached this, enabling online communication for kids seems to have always been against their values as a company. Even at the expense of (in this case apparently the supposed countless core gamers without phones.)

Again, look at what happened with Swapnote.

 

[Genio88]

Well in these interviews Reggie also said that they're listening to fan feedbacks, well i hope they've figured out that handleing matchmaking and voice chat only via smartphone is a bullshit, hopefully they'll implement those features in the console too, after all they won't be even ready for launch

 

[Pooya]

The thing is Nintendo console is supposed to be youth friendly. I'm out of touch, is it common for 8-10 year old kids to have a smartphone with data plans and such nowadays?