I mean it's likely that games will have their own voice chats, but if you want to use party chat with your friends (like on PS4 or XBO) you will probably need to use the phone, which is incredibly stupid.Crisis averted!
While the US-page shows this:
The Japanese site shows this:
which translates to "Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"
So Switch can use regular headsets, which are very likely to be used for voice-chat, etc.
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Voice chat on the Switch will consist of a paid app on "smart" devices (your phone)
- Thread starter Trojita
- Start date
Wolfgang Jr
Banned
Use an app on my phone to chat with a friend?
How's about I just fucking call them?!
How's about I just fucking call them?!
SlipperyFishes
Banned
What about kids who don't own their own phone?
Edit: hell what about adults who don't. There are a lot of them out there that either can't (their work) or won't.
Edit: hell what about adults who don't. There are a lot of them out there that either can't (their work) or won't.
Ghostshark
Member
This is just insane. What if you don't own a smartphone? You'll have to add the cost of whatever device you use, the forced data-plan, and having a clunky weird situation with having a completely separate device to do something that should just exist on the console. If you want the whole experience, you'd have to pay for the console, some sort of smartphone, and the monthly fee.
The console doesn't cost 300, it's going to cost more like 600 plus the monthly data fee.
The console doesn't cost 300, it's going to cost more like 600 plus the monthly data fee.
SystemUser
Member
You are exaggerating a little bit. You can buy an android phone or tablet for less than $50 with no contract. I assume you have home internet and wifi already.
Nintendo has always been horrible with online. The one time played Mario Kart online with family we had to use cellphones to talk it was really dumb and clunky. Now Nintendo is charging for an app to use this horrible functionality?
Crisis averted!
While the US-page shows this:
The Japanese site shows this:
which translates to "Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"
So Switch can use regular headsets, which are very likely to be used for voice-chat, etc.
Ta-da.
Whatever the App can do, it will be available on the Switch itself in some form. Nintendo just spent a lot of time unifying their online service, they aren't going to split it up again.
My guess; Nintendo knows we are on our phones all the time, and if they want people to use their games socially on-the-go, they can't rely on hoping people will adopt Switch as their primary communication (ie for organising online parties etc). It just won't happen. So they need a gateway app on our phones to get us to turn on Switch.
I see their thinking like this:
- I'm on my phone as always
- I get an app notification to play some Switch
- Can enter chat/organise party from my phone (over 4G or whatever) whilst I find some WiFi
- Find Wi-Fi, Boot up the switch, play online and continue party/chat via Switch.
Of course, if you're sat at home, just do the first 3x steps on your Switch.
That's my theory. Only way this all makes any sense.
Stallion Dan
Member
Holy fucking shit, how do Nintendo not get this.
you is a winner!
i wonder, why you should pay for an app to have the online experience.
Yeah, this sounds right but passing this off as some premium service crap is gob smacking none the less
Crisis averted!
While the US-page shows this:
The Japanese site shows this:
which translates to "Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"
So Switch can use regular headsets, which are very likely to be used for voice-chat, etc.
Am I the only one who is slightly bothered that the audio jack is on the top and not on the bottom?
One of the things I love about the DS4 is the jack is on the bottom.
Ghostshark
Member
I figured smart phones, even the lower quality ones, would have cost more than 50 bucks. That definitely makes it a lot less bad. I'm too used to paying a lot of money on high end phones.
Kaneda Shotaro
Member
Cool so in the middle of a match, someone calls you, you're fucked
Crisis averted!
While the US-page shows this:
The Japanese site shows this:
which translates to "Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"
So Switch can use regular headsets, which are very likely to be used for voice-chat, etc.
What do you do when the Switch is docked? Also horrible position for a headphone socket :/
Very good point. Maybe you can have a BT or a long cable to your couch haha.
QuixoticNeutral
Member
So there isn't anything like a front-facing microphone as on the Wii U and DS line, from what I'm seeing? I have no interest in voice chat, but this does have ramifications for VC support or future ports of titles that use the feature.
exmachina64
Banned
The Switch doesn't have a data connection. If you want to use it away from home, you need a way to get notifications that someone wants to play online.
They expect you to have the device standing up in tablet mode, so it can't be on the bottom. But yes, it's bothersome.
Yes.
Surely it would make far more sense to have a headphone slot on the joy cons, would enable using headphones while in TV mode, wouldn't cover the screen with the wire while using the portable stand, and potentially in-console voice chat if that was possible with memory constraints.
Indeed it is. Nintendo gonna Nintendo I guess.
(and Nintendo gonna keep missing big chunks of the market if they don't adapt quicker)
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
So have we gotten any clarification on this yet?
Found another picture of the UI, from warios twitter.
Yeah.. definitely not seeing a party chat icon. Probably didn't wanna delay the console and relegated it to the phone..
Um isn't party chat not there at launch anyway?
Interfectum
Member
Not sure how creating an app on the phone and somehow tying the shit together would be a quicker solution.
I would hope they mean, it's available for free users to use over the summer like the online will be. They're really fumbling on messaging here.
SocksAndShoes
Banned
This is incredibly stupid. What are you doing Nintendo?
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
This is fucking hilarious
Might as well just call the person since you are on your phone anyways. LOLOL
Might as well just call the person since you are on your phone anyways. LOLOL
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Crisis averted!
While the US-page shows this:
The Japanese site shows this:
which translates to "Headphone and Mic-Jack - You can connect headphones, a microphone or headphones with integrated microphone"
So Switch can use regular headsets, which are very likely to be used for voice-chat, etc.
Crisis not averted. We don't know shit. When you're docked, then what? Get a long cable? Nintendo isn't this stupid to expect you to sit next to the console and wear a long cable. Trust me when I say this, you all are giving yourself false hope.
This is a technical issue, and this is the current solution. For now, it requires the app. The headphone jack is mostly for when you're not docked and on the go, and need to listen to game audio like a portable device should. That's it.
As of now, OFFICIALLY, you need an app. Plain and simple.
Don't do this to yourself, guys.
Or the socket is just there so one can hear game audio while using the Switch as a handheld and the phone is still required for party chat.
spindashing
Banned
ONE FOR THE APP AND ONE FOR THE SWITCH
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
BINGO.
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
The Nintendo Twist: You speak through a mic connected to the Switch, and hear replies out of your phone on the Nintendo app.
Asynchronous voice chat!
Asynchronous voice chat!
Crazy Diamond
Member
Me, trying to justify anything Nintendo revealed about the Switch that wasn't a game:
Breath of the Wild is a hell of a drug.
Breath of the Wild is a hell of a drug.
boiled goose
good with gravy
Yes. But when has that ever stopped Nintendo.
See having completely separate friend lists for WiiU, 3DS, Miitomo, and Mario Run, even if you link them all to your My Nintendo Account.
What A Time To Be Alive
Member
If its not also built into the Switch Im gonna be pissed.
Teletraan1
Banned
Like every other LLTP by 10 year feature Nintendo introduces to the world of its fans I am sure it be touted as a superior way of handling voice chat and nintendo has basically turned voice chat on its head with their unique spin on it. Paying for it also ensures a quality product, think of it like a voice chat investment. Nintendo voice chat doesn't lose its value like other voice chats. Plus it is a use for your phone other than playing Super Mario Run and Pokemon Go.
What A Time To Be Alive
Member
I mean you had to the same thing with the PS3/360 if you wanted to use a wired headset.....