I dont see why this is bad. Its nice to have a dedicated app for online play invites. Lets see how it connects to the switch and if you can jump right in through the app. I would find it useful if I get push messages from friends inviting me to play. I suspect that switch can handle head sets as well but has no mic so voice chat with your phone makes sense.
Voice chat on the Switch will consist of a paid app on "smart" devices (your phone)
- Thread starter Trojita
- Start date
Well, no, but a form of mobile connection is a whole lot more common than free WiFi when on the commute, at least in the UK!
Sure, and I use it frequently, but it's a layer of complexity. I doubt my parents would be comfortable looking up MAC addresses for secure lockouts!
I thought quite a few people on Xbox chatted in communal groups while playing single-player stuff?
Either way, being *able* to connect to Wifi but not wanting to in order to save battery springs to mind
GoldenEye 007
Member
If you're not on WiFi, you're not online anyway. So no online games at all?
Schnozberry
Member
Yeah, just based on what I see among my own peer group of parents, there are a lot of people that are pretty laissez faire when it comes to online and social media, and don't do a whole lot of educating when it comes to what to expect and how to handle the persistent cynicism and flippant nature of online commentary.
I'm pretty glad I grew up in an era where all my insecurity and failure wasn't broadcast out to all of humanity.
Deliberate in the sense that Nintendo is incompetent OS wise.
The Vita has no issue with voice chat.
Did any journalist ask Nintendo if they would be discussing the OS and online capabilities prior to March 3rd?
I'm wondering if some of this is miscommunication.
Like maybe the app is supposed to be like the Steam app. Where even if you don't have the switch on you, you can still browse/purchase from the eshop, see your friends list, have a social media wall (new type of miiverse) where you can still interact, setup gaming sessions, voice/video chat, etc...
This way some of the functionality, basic friends list, grouping up and chatting will still be system level features, but a much more robust online community will be used exterior to the system itself.
I honestly don't think I care either way, reflecting on the usage of PSN for myself, I rarely use the friends list, I barely use voice chat, I'm not a competitive multiplayer (I only usually play online co-op) All I really need is video streaming services and a good online shop to buy from. I do like the ability to watch other people play games as a way for me to decide if I would like a game, but I guess its not necessary at a system level.
It would be nice if Nintendo can get this information sorted prior to March 3rd though.
I'm wondering if some of this is miscommunication.
Like maybe the app is supposed to be like the Steam app. Where even if you don't have the switch on you, you can still browse/purchase from the eshop, see your friends list, have a social media wall (new type of miiverse) where you can still interact, setup gaming sessions, voice/video chat, etc...
This way some of the functionality, basic friends list, grouping up and chatting will still be system level features, but a much more robust online community will be used exterior to the system itself.
I honestly don't think I care either way, reflecting on the usage of PSN for myself, I rarely use the friends list, I barely use voice chat, I'm not a competitive multiplayer (I only usually play online co-op) All I really need is video streaming services and a good online shop to buy from. I do like the ability to watch other people play games as a way for me to decide if I would like a game, but I guess its not necessary at a system level.
It would be nice if Nintendo can get this information sorted prior to March 3rd though.
The Switch supports Bluetooth and quite likely mic enabled headsets.
Nothing really makes sense right now.
I mean I don't know what the mobile connection is for you guys in the UK but there's no way in hell I would ever be able to play online on my train commute. edit : okay you didn't mention "train". Well why would you need voice chat during your commute.
MAC addresses ? what ? It's literally one of the quick settings on my phone. Just have to pull the notification bar down and tap "access point".
Somewhere they don't have Wifi ? You're not gonna use voice chat on the train or in the park.
Savinowned
Member
Someone on Reddit said that the trial will only include online play but not voice chat/30 day game trials till it fully launches in the fall. Can anyone confirm or deny this with a source?
DrROBschiz
Member
If its a miscommunication than no one told Reggie
zephervack
Member
Wait, so you cant hear the in-game sounds and voice chat at the same time???
Ninja Scooter
Member
I don't think people have a problem with a separate app existing, people have a problem with a separate app being the only way to access those functions. The Switch is its own online enabled mobile device and you are asking people to use a second online enabled mobile device to get the most out of it. You don't think this is ridiculous?
Baroquemantic
Member
But with proper parental controls, all of this could be done even with these features working natively on the Switch. The mobile app should be optional, not a requirement.
^ Not a deal breaker for me, but just ... perplexing decision and clearly not the best user experience.
They already said they would.
They already said they would.
DrROBschiz
Member
Two devices it better than one!
Thats why we made a Console Mobile Hybrid!.........................Wait
Congrats, I put you in the top 10 Nintendo Switch bullshit spinner. Kids will steal your parental control passwords so Nintendo looks out for you. Thanks Nintendo.
Yes
Not a deal breaker on its own for the console itself but it does contribute to my decision yes. It's absolutely a dealbreaker on the online sub though.
This seems really paranoid, and where do you stop? What happens when your kid steals your phone?
Parental controls on the xbox let me turn on and off different features with a lot of granularity including voice chat. This is stored behind a 6 digit pin that is entered by pressing specific buttons on the controller so the kid can't see me entering values. Do you really need to go more paranoid then that?
I don't have a source but I remember seeing (i think on nintendo switch site) that some of the features would be basically beta in the summer time for North America.
EDIT: found it, Online lobby and voice chat
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.
Not sure if they updated the site but I don't remember some of this information being there the day after the conference
http://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/
Schnozberry
Member
I'm not delusional enough to think the parental controls are the only reason they are driving people to use the app. They want to live on your phone, integrate into your social networks, etc. It's just part of the reason I think they would try and justify it. It's a deliberate approach.
breveglieri
Banned
So you need a smartphone to do voice chat? I get the "use your comfy earbuds" but then just add a plug on the tablet like the DS4 and Xbox controller have.
thecouncil
Banned
whats the difference between me using this app to call someone on the phone and just calling someone on the phone?
DrROBschiz
Member
One is free
breveglieri
Banned
On one of them you're paying Nintendo to do so
Thanks, the wording on their site makes me feel they aren't talking about this until after March 3rd
I guess one of the differences instead of just saying "one requires payment to Ninty" would be that it is difficult to do that with a stranger in an online lobby? Of course by friending on facebook or something would allow communication just as easily so... Back to "one requires payment to Ninty"
I dont have a problem with it personally. But we dont know enough about the service yet.. If your phone is connected through bluetooth, you can probably still handle stuff trough the switch and a large portion of the criticisms would be adressed. I think its an interesting idea to have a dedicated app.
Baroquemantic
Member
Sure, parental controls may not be the only reason they are doing it, but the way they are apparently handling it is not actually better than how their competitors are doing it. It's just different for the sake of being different.
Especially since the vita had no issues
DrROBschiz
Member
I mean think about it guys
the ONLINE features and service set isnt even launching in full till Fall 2017.... and its a damn app
This is a pretty bad first impression in my book so far.
Imagine PS4 launching without PSN
This is closer to when Xbox 360 launched before Xbox Live was ready....
the ONLINE features and service set isnt even launching in full till Fall 2017.... and its a damn app
This is a pretty bad first impression in my book so far.
Imagine PS4 launching without PSN
This is closer to when Xbox 360 launched before Xbox Live was ready....
I think the parental control app is different from the "Nintendo Online app". Most of the "My child should not witness the toxicity of the internet" problems are solved with the app (you can deactivate Online Communication from there as well).
Btw: It's interesting that they said that *most* games would need the paid subscription to be played online / use online functionality. Maybe that's where the "What about Pokémon?" question would be set in. Some functions (trading?) can be used for free whereas some (battling?) cannot.
Crayon
Member
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.
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.
Yikes, I hadn't seen that.
Hopefully it will still be mentioned in a Direct or something similar.DrROBschiz
Member
Im gonna sue them for false advertising then
I thought they were making this system for me based on the pitch ads
Schnozberry
Member
I don't disagree with you, but I think parents would be more likely to use an app than actually interface with a console to apply the restrictions they want.
This is brutal.
Schnozberry
Member
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.
I want an audio jack on my controller though. baffling
Crayon
Member
Im gonna sue them for false advertising then
I thought they were making this system for me based on the pitch ads
Well maybe they are thinking of the inner child.
moltonasty
Member
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
Schnozberry
Member
I don't know anybody that actually joins Team Chat anymore. It's party chat, or discord, etc. It's a vile wasteland out there with randos.
You can do it on a game-to-game basis as well, it seems. You can also turn off specific features like Voice Chat no, but Social Media yes.
But all that we have is the presentation video, so I don't know for sure what the app is up to. It seems also to "connect" with your "Nintendo Online App" which is a free / non-subscriber feature.
I was wondering about one thing: how does the communication between the parental control app and the Switch work? If it's over WiFi, I have the perfect solution for finding a way around those time limits and remote shut-offs.
Schnozberry
Member
No technical reason it couldn't through bluetooth.
DrROBschiz
Member
Likewise
Party Chat is all I ever use. I stopped playing with randoms a long time ago and have only ever done it recently on WiiU lmao
oh the irony
Schnozberry
Member
You can do it on a game-to-game basis as well, it seems. You can also turn off specific features like Voice Chat no, but Social Media yes.
But all that we have is the presentation video, so I don't know for sure what the app is up to. It seems also to "connect" with your "Nintendo Online App" which is a free / non-subscriber feature.
I was wondering about one thing: how does the communication between the parental control app and the Switch work? If it's over WiFi, I have the perfect solution for finding a way around those time limits and remote shut-offs.
Right, but those restrictions apply to everyone who uses the system.
Disabling Wifi may very well prevent new policies from applying.
Bl4ckSunsh1n3
Member
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.
moltonasty
Member
Technically no...but Nintendo gonna Nintendo