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[norm9]

They obviously couldn't just go with a straight up normal chat app because they want to avoid the naughty kids and teens that ruin chats and miiverse.

 

[Living the Dream]

Rumor is that NCL doesn't give a rats ass about online voice chat and thus never planned for it.

FIXED

 

[Flintty]

LOL. wtf is this. fuck that

Lol fucking hell. What did I just read???

Reggie Fils-Aime: Correct. It means that essentially you’ve got access to that game for a period of time, and then after the month there’s a new selection. You’ll have the opportunity to buy it, but [after] that month we’ve moved on to another game.

I think it would be helpful maybe to step back. Because I think it’s important there’s an understanding of the bigger vision. 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. We think that that’s just as important as access to Virtual Console content.

Hey, at least we get the option to buy it!

This is so fucking funny. GG Nintendo. G fucking G.

 

[Nerazar]

The only benefit I could think of with this is if you're playing something online locally with a friend and both want to chat.

This could have been solved with having 3.5mm jacks on the controllers though. So far, the potential annoyances far outweigh the benefits.

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...

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Rumor is that they don't have the memory footprint on the console itself to run much system.level in addition to the games.

This hurts my soul so very very badly. It's 2017, not 2001. This should be standard for any console seeking mainstream success. Should have been a part of the discussion when they were working out the hardware specs. Xbox 360 had the hardware to do it, so that's disappointing to hear.

 

[Bear Force One]

This hurts my soul so very very badly. It's 2017, not 2001. This should be standard for any console seeking mainstream success. Should have been a part of the discussion when they were working out the hardware specs. Xbox 360 had the hardware to do it, so that's disappointing to hear.

Streaming should be standard too.

 

[The Xtortionist]

I could tolerate running some longer 3.5mm headphone and mic cables if I can plug them into the Switch via Y-adapter for combined game and voice sound. Still dumb, but I'll do it if it works.

 

[Schnozberry]

That makes no sense. Why not just allow a Bluetooth headset?

Because they are offloading the Social aspects of the Switch to a smartphone app, likely for a multitude of reasons. Sending audio via Bluetooth LE isn't terribly taxing in a device with a DSP. Here are some reasons I can think of as to why they are taking this approach:

1. Saves on the amount of System RAM needed by the OS.
2. Allows them to extract the maximum performance from the hardware for use with games.
3. Allows them to protect young children, who won't have ready access to a second device without parental permission.
4. Battery conservation of the Switch itself.
5. Keeps disk space reserved for the OS down.
6. Apps are tuned for faster updates and release cycles than firmware updates on gaming consoles.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of, but it's certainly not without it's negative trade offs too.

 

[DrROBschiz]

You pay them a subscription, and you get to manage all of your friends, party chat, game appointments, etc through the app. Without the subscription, you still can use the app for free, but it's features become limited.

You're paying for Nintendo's back end costs. Bandwidth, dedicated servers, app development, plus a little extra for their trouble. Same thing with Sony and Microsoft.

I can manage that shit with Free apps

And yes I UNDERSTAND that its a backend cost consideration however when directly comparing feature sets offered as standard by their competition.... its incredibly frustrating that their master plan is to offload system functions to an App

Because they are offloading the Social aspects of the Switch to a smartphone app, likely for a multitude of reasons. Sending audio via Bluetooth LE isn't terribly taxing in a device with a DSP. Here are some reasons I can think of as to why they are taking this approach:

1. Saves on the amount of System RAM needed by the OS.
2. Allows them to extract the maximum performance from the hardware for use with games.
3. Allows them to protect young children, who won't have ready access to a second device without parental permission.
4. Battery conservation of the Switch itself.
5. Keeps disk space reserved for the OS down.
6. Apps are tuned for faster updates and release cycles than firmware updates on gaming consoles.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of, but it's certainly not without it's negative trade offs too.

1 - Say what? There is no way this is the reason

2 - VoIP is NOT This demanding. This is supposed to be modern hardware.

3 - User accounts and controls? This issue was solved by tablet/mobile companies ages ago. Hell they even have their own parental control software. Why restrict master controls accross the board for all consumers?

4 - Maybe but cmon... PsVita was able to get around this

5 - 32GB is already not enough for all digital consumers anyways.

6 - You realize this console isnt much different than a smartphone on paper.... its mobile SOC internals

 

[Wrestlemania]

I can manage that shit with Free apps

And yes I UNDERSTAND that its a backend cost consideration however when directly comparing feature sets offered as standard by their competition.... its incredibly frustrating that their master plan is to offload system functions to an App

You can't manage it with third party apps in a way that can directly integrate with the system and games.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

But if that's the case, why not also allow us to use a Bluetooth headset?

Because Nintendo likes to bend its loyal fans over and stick it to them up the arse.

 

[Effect]

There are a number of positives for a setup like this as said. Negatives too. The key is how it all works in a real world setting and that's what they have to show off. Just because it's an app it doesn't have to be limited to just a phone. Tablets (Kindle Fires as well) and iPods hopefully should have access to this.

Just like how opinions of ARMS has improved a lot after the demonstrations of it to the point where it seems the overall impressions of the game a very positive that could happen with this as well. However the longer they wait to fully explain this the more negative some will get because of all the assumption they keep making. Also in the process of that they will be convincing themselves that this will be horrible no matter what is said or done.

People really need to take a breath and take a step back and wait.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Because they are offloading the Social aspects of the Switch to a smartphone app, likely for a multitude of reasons. Sending audio via Bluetooth LE isn't terribly taxing in a device with a DSP. Here are some reasons I can think of as to why they are taking this approach:

1. Saves on the amount of System RAM needed by the OS.
2. Allows them to extract the maximum performance from the hardware for use with games.
3. Allows them to protect young children, who won't have ready access to a second device without parental permission.
4. Battery conservation of the Switch itself.
5. Keeps disk space reserved for the OS down.
6. Apps are tuned for faster updates and release cycles than firmware updates on gaming consoles.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of, but it's certainly not without it's negative trade offs too.

But isn't a part of developing video game hardware to kinda cater to your userbase? Their needs as gamers? You know...in order to compel them to buy and be immersed in your ecosystem?

I don't know many console gamers that look at a phone app for voicechat as anything other than horrible and cheap.

So shouldn't Nintendo kinda have ensured this is a standard feature when they designed the hardware and adapt accordingly?

Parental controls can be set on the system level to lock out voice chat if need me.

Give the user to disable voice chat in order to save battery life. Consoles do this now with no need to power requirements. Just don't open a chat.

Disk space is user expandable. Not an issue.

There are a number of positives for a setup like this as said. Negatives too. The key is how it all works in a real world setting and that's what they have to show off. Just because it's an app it doesn't have to be limited to just a phone. Tablets (Kindle Fires as well) and iPods hopefully should have access to this.

Just like how opinions of ARMS has improved a lot after the demonstrations of it to the point where it seems the overall impressions of the game a very positive that could happen with this as well. However the longer they wait to fully explain this the more negative some will get because of all the assumption they keep making. Also in the process of that they will be convincing themselves that this will be horrible no matter what is said or done.

People really need to take a breath and take a step back and wait.

The great thing about console chat is it just works. Either through private party chat or with randoms. No fiddling with anything required. Fairly simple. Coordinating with a smartphone app add another layer to the process of gaming with friends in a coordinated manner.

No to mention dealing with sound quality or if your phone's mic can pick up your voice without a headset or having to take an incoming phone call...etc.

I don't see any advantages to the USER with this. Advantages for Nintendo? Sure. But last time I checked we're the customers. Shouldn't they be catering to our needs?

 

[Schnozberry]

I can manage that shit with Free apps

And yes I UNDERSTAND that its a backend cost consideration however when directly comparing feature sets offered as standard by their competition.... its incredibly frustrating that their master plan is to offload system functions to an App

We don't know what level of integration the app will have with the Switch. It might end up being a lot more involved than people are expecting.

I understand you can use Discord or Skype or any number of chat programs. I think Nintendo is aware of that too.

 

[Ziffles]

To be fair it's too early to judge the quality of the phone app.

Not saying the service will be worth it, but for all we know the app could be good.

It could be the most wonderful smartphone app ever, but it doesn't change the fact that there should be no need for it in the first place.

 

[marc^o^]

Because they are offloading the Social aspects of the Switch to a smartphone app, likely for a multitude of reasons. Sending audio via Bluetooth LE isn't terribly taxing in a device with a DSP. Here are some reasons I can think of as to why they are taking this approach:

1. Saves on the amount of System RAM needed by the OS.
2. Allows them to extract the maximum performance from the hardware for use with games.
3. Allows them to protect young children, who won't have ready access to a second device without parental permission.
4. Battery conservation of the Switch itself.
5. Keeps disk space reserved for the OS down.
6. Apps are tuned for faster updates and release cycles than firmware updates on gaming consoles.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of, but it's certainly not without it's negative trade offs too.

You're maybe right and so it would strictly be a gaming system, with zero tablet functions.

 

[digita1alchemy]

The first thing I do in any online multiplayer game is mute voice chat. I also don't have any friends to play online games with. So, as someone with absolute minimal investment in this, I think it sounds like an interesting idea lol. Same with the parental controls app. I like the idea of having access to some of the functionality at all times via my phone. In the end, it will come down to implementation, of course.

 

[DrROBschiz]

ugghhhh


Vita literally did all of this better from an integrated software perspective and didnt suffer for it

I just cant see how the App solution is superior to building these features into the device

If they are so worried about it eating up resources than maybe they should hire an Mobile Software Engineer who knows what fuck they are doing so that it can be lightweight and efficient for the OS


It screams of incompetence on their part not compromise and "innovative solutions"

 

[Somnid]

Rumor is that they don't have the reserved memory footprint on the console itself to run much system.level in addition to the games.

We shall see.

That's not a rumor, it's speculation. Even if they didn't it can be handled on the game level as it has on many other systems. I think a bigger issues would be the accessory market. You can't get audio out when it's docked without a controller that supports audio streams. For the Joycon it's not an option at all and that's what's packed in, the Pro controller could have been built with that but you're already pushing a pricing sore point. So you're basically saying that you need at least a Bluetooth headset standard to communicate online or some other accessory that's not in the box. That is, unless you utilized the user's existing phone to provide that without additional hardware. So to that end, it seems easiest to go that route, at least to solve the initial cases and then revisit onboard communication via accessories which is how I imagine this will work.

 

[schwabdizzle]

I think this is the dumbest thing ever. I am sorry. You have to use your smart phone for voice chat? WTF.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

ugghhhh


Vita literally did all of this better from an integrated software perspective and didnt suffer for it

I just cant see how the App solution is superior to building these features into the device

If they are so worried about it eating up resources than maybe they should hire an Mobile Software Engineer who knows what fuck they are doing so that it can be lightweight and efficient for the OS

This is exactly how I feel. This is poor planning and out of touch implementation of features.

 

[tmespe]

If the app integrates tightly with the system, they would still need to use resources for those functions in the background anyway, so the question becomes how much resources can they save by offloading the GUI to an app.

 

[Schnozberry]

But isn't a part of developing video game hardware to kinda cater to your userbase? Their needs as gamers? You know...in order to compel them to buy and be immersed in your ecosystem?

I don't know many console gamers that look at a phone app for voicechat as anything other than horrible and cheap.

So shouldn't Nintendo kinda have ensured this is a standard feature when they designed the hardware and adapt accordingly?

Parental controls can be set on the system level to lock out voice chat if need me.

Give the user to disable voice chat in order to save batter life. Consoles do this now with no need to power requirements. Just don't open a chat.

Disk space is user expandable. Not an issue.

I would argue that it's equally likely to make you more immersed in their ecosystem. You could get notifications that your friend is playing Splatoon 2 on your phone, so you tap the notification to wake up your Switch from sleep and join his game. Games like Animal Crossing for instance could send you notifications about things happening in your town when you're away, prompting you to jump into the game to take action. There are plenty of out of the box opportunities created by giving game creators a way to communicate with users when they aren't actively sitting in front of their console.

 

[DidntKnowJack]

Such a dumb decision. I'd never chat online, so its not really a big deal to me. Hell, I probably wouldn't be playing anything online, the paid sub for online ensured that. But yeah really freaking stupid, Nintendo.

 

[Ziffles]

ugghhhh


Vita literally did all of this better from an integrated software perspective and didnt suffer for it

b-but the system footprints!

Man I just hope Nintendo wises up quickly on this, because the more I think about it the more my brain hurts.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I would argue that it's equally likely to make you more immersed in their ecosystem. You could get notifications that your friend is playing Splatoon 2 on your phone, so you tap the notification to wake up your Switch from sleep and join his game. Games like Animal Crossing for instance could send you notifications about things happening in your town when you're away, prompting you to jump into the game to take action. There are plenty of out of the box opportunities created by giving game creators a way to communicate with users when they aren't actively sitting in front of their console.

Why would you join your friends game if you weren't at your Switch?

Also everything you are describing could be done in addition to having this stuff at the system level. I think the issue most people have is that this isn't an option.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Why would you join your friends game if you weren't at your Switch?

Also everything you are describing could be done in addition to having this stuff at the system level. I think the issue most people have is that this isn't an option.

I mean, I get the argument for the value of an app. I often look at my PS app, and if I see a friend playing say, Overwatch, I'll go over to the console and turn it on. It saves me some trouble of turning the thing on to check the friends list, and allows me to keep track of those friends while I'm away.

But like we keep saying, that should be an option. Not a requirement.

 

[marc^o^]

Why would you join your friends game if you weren't at your Switch?

Because it would give you an incentive to pick up your Switch, while you were on GAF, reading a book, whatever. This is the smart thing/main benefit of making smartphones that don't leave our hands, the default /mandatory hub to Switch social interactions. Every Switch owners will be prompted to download it. You won't have another way so it can be seen as something wrong, but it will also increase adoption of online presence notifications.

You'll be able to easily prepare from your phone a gaming session with friends, driving on your way back home. It may not be new to you if you know about discord, if you installed the optional psn app. What Nintendo seems to bring here is an integrated package of services, that many people don't know about/don't use.

Making it the standard way to interact is not entirely a bad idea. It could have its benefits.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Because it would giive you an incentive to pick up your Switch, while you were on GAF, reading a book, whatever. This is the smart thing/main benefit of making smartphones that don't leave our hands, the default /mandatory hub to Switch social interactions.

You could do this without making a phone app the default or mandatory method of participating in online communities.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I mean, I get the argument for the value of an app. I often look at my PS app, and if I see a friend playing say, Overwatch, I'll go over to the console and turn it on. It saves me some trouble of turning the thing on to check the friends list, and allows me to keep track of those friends while I'm away.

But like we keep saying, that should be an option. Not a requirement.

Yeah

Its not innovative at all

PS App exists and hell I bet MS has one..... And they are FREE

99% of the shit thats supposed to be great about this supposed app can likely be done for free with other smartphone apps

 

[Soul Lab]

give us both options pls. Voice chat through a smart phone app as only option is dumb as hell. like really dumb.
I have no problem to pay for a solid online service. But this is a mess

 

[Sizzel]

you know that feeling when you are doing something you are going to regret...

This is how I feel about my preorder more and more... like hey just play BotW on WiiU... and wait for the switch's price to plummet then get into for Xeno 2 and Grand Theft Mario. It is only 300$ but still. This is shaping up to be WiiU part 2. It is starting to feel the same.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Because it will give you an incentive to pick up your Switch, while you were on GAF, reading a book, whatever. This is the smart thing/main benefit of making smartphones that don't leave our hands, the default & mandatory hub to Switch social interactions.

So what you want is a notification app, which would be cool and make sense, but what does that have to do with things like voice chat and friend curation requiring a mobile device?

 

[Mammoth Jones]

I would argue that it's equally likely to make you more immersed in their ecosystem. You could get notifications that your friend is playing Splatoon 2 on your phone, so you tap the notification to wake up your Switch from sleep and join his game. Games like Animal Crossing for instance could send you notifications about things happening in your town when you're away, prompting you to jump into the game to take action. There are plenty of out of the box opportunities created by giving game creators a way to communicate with users when they aren't actively sitting in front of their console.

You can have phone app notifications galore without pushing the voice chat through the phone.

So what you want is a notification app, which would be cool and make sense, but what does that have to do with things like voice chat and friend curation requiring a mobile device?

Read: This

 

[Pancakes R Us]

It could be the most wonderful smartphone app ever, but it doesn't change the fact that there should be no need for it in the first place.

This. Thank you and good night. This would be a nice option if it was just that: an option. With no mandatory need to use a smartphone app for voice chat/friend list management etc.

 

[Mrbob]

I still don't understand this either. I get having a phone app but doing everything on your phone is strange. If it is meant for on the go isn't this more cumbersome then having things built at os level. Now you have to have your switch and phone accessible instead of just plugging headset into switch.

 

[Soul Lab]

It could be the most wonderful smartphone app ever, but it doesn't change the fact that there should be no need for it in the first place.

and we're done here

 

[Schnozberry]

Why would you join your friends game if you weren't at your Switch?

Also everything you are describing could be done in addition to having this stuff at the system level. I think the issue most people have is that this isn't an option.

I was imagining a scenario where you're close to your Switch but not actively playing at the time.

I think it's a fair complaint that it's not optional, but I think the entire approach to offload the social aspects is an effort to hit several birds with one stone. It gets them constant contact with users, offloads CPU/battery consumption from the Switch, and gives them some inbuilt protection from liability over another swapnote situation.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Yeah

Its not innovative at all

PS App exists and hell I bet MS has one..... And they are FREE

99% of the shit thats supposed to be great about this supposed app can likely be done for free with other smartphone apps

Yup. I can open my app and see who's online. I can see screenshots, achievements. I get notifications for achievement earned, can buy games via the app, or change tv channels or use the app as a general xbox remote control (for system level stuff not gaming).

And while I've always wanted the ability to join party chat via xbox live app it was always in the context of supplemental functionality not replacing the entire chat system with the app chat. But it'd be nice to join a party chat when I'm not at home as my close friends are on nearly every day shootin' the shit.

I was imagining a scenario where you're close to your Switch but not actively playing at the time.

I think it's a fair complaint that it's not optional, but I think the entire approach to offload the social aspects is an effort to hit several birds with one stone. It gets them constant contact with users, offloads CPU/battery consumption from the Switch, and gives them some inbuilt protection from liability over another swapnote situation.

But they're missing the most important stone: Convenience to users. It's just not better than having the game auto-connect to game chat when you enter a game by default when you have a headset connected and have voice chat set to: ON.

 

[marc^o^]

So what you want is a notification app, which would be cool and make sense, but what does that have to do with things like voice chat and friend curation requiring a mobile device?

I edited my post with more thoughts.

 

[Crazyorloco]

I think this is the dumbest thing ever. I am sorry. You have to use your smart phone for voice chat? WTF.

They might as well say "call your friend".

I hope there are some major benefits to the app. I just don't see it right now. I'm trying here.

I think it'll be nice to see who's online and chat with people on the go. But that's it really. I already use so many other chat services.

Edit...

Because it would give you an incentive to pick up your Switch, while you were on GAF, reading a book, whatever. This is the smart thing/main benefit of making smartphones that don't leave our hands, the default /mandatory hub to Switch social interactions. Every Switch owners will be prompted to download it. You won't have another way so it can be seen as something wrong, but it will also increase adoption of online presence notifications.

You'll be able to easily prepare from your phone a gaming session with friends, driving on your way back home. It may not be new to you if you know about discord, if you installed the optional psn app. What Nintendo seems to bring here is an integrated package of services, that many people don't know about/don't use.

Making it the standard way to interact is not entirely a bad idea. It could have its benefits.

Great post. I think this would be the greatest benefit of having the app. Being able to see who's online - on the go.

As a parent I think it also creates a safety measure against who children are speaking to. The more I think about it, the more I see some positives.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I was imagining a scenario where you're close to your Switch but not actively playing at the time.

I think it's a fair complaint that it's not optional, but I think the entire approach to offload the social aspects is an effort to hit several birds with one stone. It gets them constant contact with users, offloads CPU/battery consumption from the Switch, and gives them some inbuilt protection from liability over another swapnote situation.

Its called hiring a Software engineer

Hire a software engineer.... hire a software engineer.... Do they exist in Japan?

Because the incompetence in mind boggling.

You keep referencing resource concerns and liability/protect young users and stuff... and this kind thing isnt.... new to the world of mobile devices and has been solved many times over.

 

[Schnozberry]

You can have phone app notifications galore without pushing the voice chat through the phone.

I actually agree, but I'm also the parent of a 6 year old. I hear my friends/neighbors say all the time that they won't buy games consoles because of the online communities. Gating access behind an app created a buffer that is major peace of mind for parents, and a minor inconvenience for others.

I understand why people think it's shit, but I also get why Nintendo might take this approach. Gaming communities are not going to police themselves, and don't really give a rip about kids.

 

[haimon]

Whichever idiot thought of this system should be forced to go through every online account and communication system to learn how each of them work.

It's an absolutely idiotic and stupid idea and show gross incompetence and complete lack of understanding of what an online ecosystem is.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I actually agree, but I'm also the parent of a 6 year old. I hear my friends/neighbors say all the time that they won't buy games consoles because of the online communities. Gating access behind an app created a buffer that is major peace of mind for parents, and a minor inconvenience for others.

I understand why people think it's shit, but I also get why Nintendo might take this approach. Gaming communities are not going to police themselves, and don't really give a rip about kids.

I don't think your anecdotal friends/neighbors represent any kind of meaningful majority. It's not like kids in 2017 don't have access to phones and tablets. I don't doubt that this may have been a part of nintendo's thought process on this decision, but it's because they have a tendency to be incredibly out of touch with certain aspects of the consumer market.

My guess is that this is being done this way 100% due to technical limitations of the Switch itself and they are going to spin it anyway they can as some sort of solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[Schnozberry]

Its called hiring a Software engineer

Hire a software engineer.... hire a software engineer.... Do they exist in Japan?

Because the incompetence in mind boggling.

You keep referencing resource concerns and liability/protect young users and stuff... and this kind thing isnt.... new to the world of mobile devices and has been solved many times over.

Go be racist somewhere else please.

 

[brad-t]

I actually agree, but I'm also the parent of a 6 year old. I hear my friends/neighbors say all the time that they won't buy games consoles because of the online communities. Gating access behind an app created a buffer that is major peace of mind for parents, and a minor inconvenience for others.

I understand why people think it's shit, but I also get why Nintendo might take this approach. Gaming communities are not going to police themselves, and don't really give a rip about kids.

Nintendo is already releasing a parental control app that could be used to block access to network services like this.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Go be racist somewhere else please.

That word doesn't mean what you think it means.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

In the year 2017, there is zero legitimate excuse or reason to not have functionality as basic a voice chat feature or other related connectivity services built in native to the device.

It is a dumb decision not worth defending.

Edit: Also, parental controls and passwords/PINs exist. That decision should be made by the family on a case by case basis as they see fit.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I actually agree, but I'm also the parent of a 6 year old. I hear my friends/neighbors say all the time that they won't buy games consoles because of the online communities. Gating access behind an app created a buffer that is major peace of mind for parents, and a minor inconvenience for others.

I understand why people think it's shit, but I also get why Nintendo might take this approach. Gaming communities are not going to police themselves, and don't really give a rip about kids.

Yea Im a parent too

Bought Fire Tablet Kids editions for my kids over the holidays

They are just Fire Tablets with tough cases... they solve this issue ingeniously....User account controls

I set up an account on the tablet... Kids log in and are restricted to what I set them up for.

Go be racist somewhere else please.

Excuse me?