You still have to use your phone, he's just reminding you your smartphone has a bluetooth ability to connect to your headset.
Voice chat on the Switch will consist of a paid app on "smart" devices (your phone)
- Thread starter Trojita
- Start date
"GameSpot: How will the smartphones tie into the Switch?
Reggie: The smart phone app that we're creating, that will be part of our online service, we believe is going to be a very compelling part of the overall proposition because that's how you'll voice chat, that's how you'll do your matchmaking, and create your lobby. We also think it's a very elegant solution because if you've taken your switch on the go, you've put yourself in a hotspot, you're looking at get a quick match of Mario Kart in, to whip out some sort of gamer headset is a bit of a challenge.
So we think we've got an elegant solution. That's a very specific answer to your question."
The thing that troubles me most about this interview with Reggie is that he makes it sound like the entire online experience will be dictated by this app. We've already been told by Nintendo themselves that the parental settings are going to be on the app...
Reggie: The smart phone app that we're creating, that will be part of our online service, we believe is going to be a very compelling part of the overall proposition because that's how you'll voice chat, that's how you'll do your matchmaking, and create your lobby. We also think it's a very elegant solution because if you've taken your switch on the go, you've put yourself in a hotspot, you're looking at get a quick match of Mario Kart in, to whip out some sort of gamer headset is a bit of a challenge.
So we think we've got an elegant solution. That's a very specific answer to your question."
The thing that troubles me most about this interview with Reggie is that he makes it sound like the entire online experience will be dictated by this app. We've already been told by Nintendo themselves that the parental settings are going to be on the app...
nitekrawlwer
Member
I increasingly use my phone as a remote for more and more things controlled via apps. This doesn't strike me as terribly oddball. I mean videogame console wasn't the appliance I was thinking I would control next with my phone but I'm not displeased by the idea as many here appear to be.
This also makes a lot of sense when the console is plugged into the dock.
Maybe I'm just still in shock about the whole pay to play online thing and something really horrible about this hasn't processed for me just yet.
This also makes a lot of sense when the console is plugged into the dock.
Maybe I'm just still in shock about the whole pay to play online thing and something really horrible about this hasn't processed for me just yet.
It's gonna be like using your apps with chromecast basically.
Because the competition has been doing this out of the box for more than 10 years.
Because we're not talking about a remote here, we're talking about Nintendo telling me that their solution for voice chat is "call up your friend on your phone ! for a fee !"
Because I don't want to fucking have to bother with other devices when I'm playing a game.
This is mind-boggling.
Opticability
Banned
Why are so many people still in denial even after the ABSOLUTELY CLEAR comments from Reggie? It's mind-boggling.
I think it's a better option than strapping your motion controller to your head or forcing you to sit next to the dock, which are the other options.
GuitarAtomik
Member
The other option is to make it accessible from the actual Switch.
Imagine if Nintendo had any control over what Nintendo hardware does.
Subtervotion
Member
I don't follow. The option people want is to connect a Bluetooth headset to the Switch and open a friend's list in the Switch UI. It's that simple.
That's the sit next to the dock option...
Wait, your defense is literally saying that it could be worse when it is Nintendo's fault it is already as bad as it is? Of course those are worse options, because it's Nintendo that are denying us the good ones. So to say that something that's terrible could be a different kind of terrible is quite indeed a questionable defense.
SystemUser
Member
Reggie was clear, but it just sounds so crazy. How could anyone think that voice being only on the phone is a good thing? I feel like NOA got a bad translation. I don't think I will even attempt online MP with my Switch.
The voice only on phone thing is probably the way it is. Also the JoyCon grip not being the charging grip is probably also true. For some reason I am hanging onto hope. I feel like Jeff Rigby and the UHD consoles. I mean how could Sony release the PS4k without 4k bluray? That doesn't make sense.
Buy a smartphone?
Seriously, if you're about to plop down $400 on a Switch you can afford a smartphone, and a phone is so much more important. You are literally making your life much harder by not owning one. Buy a Switch later. Or buy an iPad or something.
GuitarAtomik
Member
Why do you have to sit next to the Switch? Because of the headphone jack? Are you arguing that the only way to be able to plug in headphones while docked is to sit next to it, and so they need to offload everything solely to the app?
If no, then please clarify because I'm confused,
If yes, then that doesn't excuse it being the ONLY option. Let's be clear: No one has a problem with this being an option. People have a problem with it because it's the ONLY option.
Yeah, let's make the battery life even worse. Great idea.
Which is ironic, because people are outraged to use their smartphones a little bit more, but are happy to use them anyways for everything.
Let's see what will happen, though. I would still like the option of doing that, because that's where the future lies like with Chromecast or YouTube streaming to your TV. However, I would still like to be at least able to do basic things with the console itself just in case I don't have my smart device with me or, god forbid, I don't have such a device at all.
Usually, Nintendo wants to include everyone and by locking it into the app, lots and lots of people will be left behind.
However, I think it's more about signalizing that the company is providing an app with extensive features. They will push the app really hard before mentioning that the console can do the basic communication stuff as well. It's very easy to include on Switch, so let's see what the future brings.
GuitarAtomik
Member
What?! Now being able to access voice chat through the system is a battery life concern? Am I taking crazy pills or are you trolling?
EDIT:
Ah! So trolling lol.
Of course it is. Has there ever been voice chat support on a portable console that doesn't kill battery?
boredandlazy
Member
Vita?
If that were the case it would mean the Switch is a poorly designed product.
It's best not to continue to throw out definitive statements if you're not well versed of the facts/tech demands.
Chat destroys the battery on the Vita..
If I had to choose between bluetooth/direct plugin to the tablet vs routing game and chat audio through my phone or tablet, then I would choose the phone option, since it's the most flexible.
I'd prefer to have all three, but I understand how Nintendo got here. They wanted you to be able to chat on the couch when in docked mode, in tablet mode, or handheld mode, wanted to support wired and wireless.headsets, and didn't want to force you to plug into a joycon that you are swinging around wildly while playing ARMS.
And when it's docked?
boredandlazy
Member
Source?
orthodoxy1095
Banned
What ? Don't use voice chat if you don't want your battery to drain. Don't use wifi at all actually. And in what real life situation would you need voice chat on the go in the first place ?
Excuses for this are getting more and more ridiculous.
-shadow-
Member
Might have an older phone. If you can call and text I can get behind the logic of not owning a smartphone.
Why bother at that point? Everyone who owns a Switch should have a smart device nearby anyway. If they're developing the app, they might as well keep everything on there, where there's no chance of interruption when you undock the device.
iPad? iPod touch? $70 android tablet? Android emulator on a PC?
Like this is beyond the Switch, if you don't have a smart device in 2017 you are literally making life unnecessarily hard on yourself.
boredandlazy
Member
Another expensive accessory? Thanks Nintendo!
So how about that claim regarding chat ruining the Vita's battery life?
Run an android emulator on PC. Boom.
-shadow-
Member
I'm not arguing that. I actually do recommend a smartphone. But life can still be done without one. As long as you can call that's just fine for some.
SkullHydra
Member
But then you have to sit next to a PC. Aren't you arguing against having to sit next to things?
boredandlazy
Member
Having to setup your switch next to your PC(if you have one), so convenient!
I think having the option to plug in some headphones with a mic sounds slightly more feasible.
I consider most of the negative reaction to the Switch overblown or unjustified, but hard not to see how this defensiveness rubs many people on gaf the wrong way.
Even if this app is absolutely the right thing to do — and I'm doubtful of that — it's on Nintendo to communicate why this is the case and they've totally failed to do so. Saying that someone should just buy a smartphone so they can access the online features of a totally separate device just sounds absurd.
This is one of the most ridiculous post I have ever seen.
Literally just put a PC on your couch to run a Nintendo app to call your friends.
GuitarAtomik
Member
Ah man. What if there was...like...a device that you could put that functionality in that like....you were already using!?
It just seems odd to me why anyone would drop $400 on a gaming tablet before buying a smart device at any point in the past decade. I'm just trying to see this how Nintendo sees it. I'd prefer it to be on the console as well, but it's not a deal breaker that its not.
It's like, if you refuse to buy a phone, smart device, or refuse to do a work around with PC, you're probably such a small percentage that I can understand why Nintendo would forget about you. Again, I'd prefer if it weren't this way, but I understand their reasoning.
Or just download a phone app?
Seriously the percentage of people without a smart device is not nearly as large as you guys are making it out to be.
What I find most entertaining about this whole thing is the emphasis that people put on companion apps these days for particular games and even consoles.
All of the things being described for this app remind me instantly of the Xbox app, where a lot of the same things can be done.
I don't mind it so much because when I do play online I don't ever use integrated chat features because they always suck in one way or another. The biggest issue, and the reason that Nintendo would try and offload it to an extent is due to the biggest issue with integrated voice chat on consoles and in games in general, kids yelling obscenities.
If you push it to an app, you have to go through a bit more effort to get into the chat, and you're probably limiting the group to your party, rather than getting as many random people in the chat.
I don't think there's any reason why integrated chat couldn't be included from a technical standpoint, I think it's still a culture thing for Nintendo. I hope it changes at some point, but in the mean time, this doesn't bother me personally (though I see why some people are frustrated).
What I'm happy about is the fact that they're making an investment in their online infrastructure to bring it into the modern world.
If it isn't what it should be, I really hope people don't just swallow it like always. Let them know what's wrong with it, and force them to change, especially in that trial period.
All of the things being described for this app remind me instantly of the Xbox app, where a lot of the same things can be done.
I don't mind it so much because when I do play online I don't ever use integrated chat features because they always suck in one way or another. The biggest issue, and the reason that Nintendo would try and offload it to an extent is due to the biggest issue with integrated voice chat on consoles and in games in general, kids yelling obscenities.
If you push it to an app, you have to go through a bit more effort to get into the chat, and you're probably limiting the group to your party, rather than getting as many random people in the chat.
I don't think there's any reason why integrated chat couldn't be included from a technical standpoint, I think it's still a culture thing for Nintendo. I hope it changes at some point, but in the mean time, this doesn't bother me personally (though I see why some people are frustrated).
What I'm happy about is the fact that they're making an investment in their online infrastructure to bring it into the modern world.
If it isn't what it should be, I really hope people don't just swallow it like always. Let them know what's wrong with it, and force them to change, especially in that trial period.
spazchicken
Member
I've actually never been called the N-word over my phone yet.
Also, using your phone to do voice chat for a games system is incredibly ghetto and stitched together feeling. Is there a restaurant out there that asks you to bring your own utensils?
Also, using your phone to do voice chat for a games system is incredibly ghetto and stitched together feeling. Is there a restaurant out there that asks you to bring your own utensils?
orthodoxy1095
Banned
lmao
Melchettsmoustache
Member
So for my 7 year old who is hooked on Splatoon to voice chat her cousin when he plays she will need my phone?
That's mental..... absolutely barking in 2017.
That's mental..... absolutely barking in 2017.
boredandlazy
Member
No, no, no! Dig UP, stupid!