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[DavidDesu]

Are people actually justifying this ridiculous situation?

Am I still right in thinking Nintendo have not confirmed that all these features will be available directly on the Switch itself... and that they're basically leaving us with a strong suggestion that it will only be available via a smartphone app, however the hell that would work?!

If that really is the case then it's beyond ridiculous. Saying it might have been the only way to bring these features.. Nintendo have designed a modern console to be released in 2017, if that was true then maybe they should have had a wee think about that and designed the console to support these functions!!! I mean...!!! C'mon.

If this app is a supplementary thing AND the Switch can do all the same stuff natively, I have no bones about this app at al, it's a great idea to have another way to interact with friends, plan gaming sessions etc. But not as the only way to do it when you have a touchscreen tablet right there in your hands where you could do it all without having to look at another device. It's simply messy and makes little sense. User unfriendly to hell and back.


EDIT: In terms of user un-friendliness imagine if every time you wanted to input text on the PS4, you had to consult a separate hardware keyboard (sold separately). No onscreen software keyboard available, that's your only option. That's the sort of ridiculousness of this solution.

 

[chillybright]

The idea of it sounds good, but is the execution what I'm keeping an eye out.

Lmao how does it sound good in the slightest.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

And you think parents who dont set up the devices of their kids are going to use their phone, download a Parental Control app, connect it to the console and use it then actively?

What? I wasn't commenting about that.

Just that Nintendo has always seemed averse to making online communication accessible to kids cause of such cases.

With or without parental controls. Unfortunately, for good reason.

 

[Joelstinton14]

Are people actually justifying this ridiculous situation?

Am I still right in thinking Nintendo have not confirmed that all these features will be available directly on the Switch itself... and that they're basically leaving us with a strong suggestion that it will only be available via a smartphone app, however the hell that would work?!

If that really is the case then it's beyond ridiculous. Saying it might have been the only way to bring these features.. Nintendo have designed a modern console to be released in 2017, if that was true then maybe they should have had a wee think about that and designed the console to support these functions!!! I mean...!!! C'mon.

If this app is a supplementary thing AND the Switch can do all the same stuff natively, I have no bones about this app at al, it's a great idea to have another way to interact with friends, plan gaming sessions etc. But not as the only way to do it when you have a touchscreen tablet right there in your hands where you could do it all without having to look at another device. It's simply messy and makes little sense. User unfriendly to hell and back.

Well i would imagine the Switch will have to have some form of online functionality in the system itself due to the fact Mario Kart is launching in April, and Splatoon in the summer.

 

[Ominym]

I always expected some Nintendo-ass decisions from Nintendo, especially regarding online. But this stuff truly takes the cake.

I have never been more hyped and then nearly instantly turned off by a product. I hope Nintendo irons out some of these rougher decisions based on feedback in the coming year.

 

[Prithee Be Careful]

Finally, an alternative to dragging these bad boys around with me:

Thanks

Spoiler

/s

 

[Joelstinton14]

Lmao how does it sound good in the slightest.

Some people have made some compelling cases on why it can be better - but i think everyone is in agreement that it should be optional. If you read back through the thread there are some good cases for it. Also some good cases against it.

 

[Dunkley]

Add-on games for your Switch games on your mobile device: Grind those rupees in Zelda while in class in in this awesome pottery smashing minigame!

You mean like a modern VMU? That'd be really cool actually.

 

[BGBW]

they've never done voice chat or convenient friend lists before as this would destroy their business overnight.

They've had voice chat before (even on the DS of all things) and both the 3DS and Wii U have friend lists.

Friend lists could destroy their business over night? How many tin foil hats are you wearing right now?

 

[azyless]

I'm certainly not an IOS expert, but I don't see the problem. The Switch connects to the iPhones hotspot, the Switch opens an audio stream on some port, the iPhone app does some kind of local network device discovery and starts playing the audio stream. In this scenario you already need to have your Switch connected to your phone hotspot to get an internet connection so this would happen automatically when the app is open and your Switch is connected to your phone. I don't see how that is convoluted from a user standpoint.

Let's pretend this is somehow not convoluted (I mean the length of your sentence should probably tell you something here).
What about at home ? Do I have to play online with my mobile network now ?

 

[tmespe]

I'm certainly not an IOS expert, but I don't see the problem. The Switch connects to the iPhones hotspot, the Switch opens an audio stream on some port, the iPhone app does some kind of local network device discovery and starts playing the audio stream. In this scenario you already need to have your Switch connected to your phone hotspot to get an internet connection so this would happen automatically when the app is open and your Switch is connected to your phone. I don't see how that is convoluted from a
user standpoint.

But then you would have to use your phone's data at all times even when you have wifi available. Makes no sense, but I guess it's possible, going by the way this has been handled by Nintendo.

Additionally you would need to enable tethering every time you want to use your switch. I think tethering is not supported by some carriers as well, and the function is probably unknown for a lot of users. It's seems incredibly convoluted.

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

You're just arbitrarily deciding that what info was revealed so far for an unreleased product, is all that's needed (or there ever will be) and suggesting otherwise is "nonsense"?

If you wanna personally write something off early on, that's absolutely your choice, and there's no justification needed. But let's not pretend it's being done with all the facts in the picture, or in a timely manner.

You wanna jump the gun, go ahead. But you're jumping the gun.

lol.

Bro.

Come. The fuck. On. We're 1.5 months from launch and Nintendo has said 5 times now, in perfectly clear words, voice chat will be through smart devices. Please. Stop.

And I'm still not sure why you've spent all this energy to now arrive at the sole point that maybe somehow possibly Nintendo fucked up their messaging a half dozen times in a few days, all regarding a feature you claim not to care about.

 

[RoadHazard]

That's pretty ass. That shit should be in-game, it just should. Having a companion app which can also do it would be cool, but as the only option? Eh.

 

[Hubble]

I am cringing at the Nintendo supporters justifying this.

 

[Sayad]

So what about Switch users without a smartphone?...

"We have a product for them called the WiiU"

 

[Fbh]

I just can't understand this.
Having an optional app for voice chat and to party up with friends sounds fine. But it shouldn't be THE ONLY WAY to do so.

I know this thing could be spun in a positive way, yet it seems to me a very poor solution.

Well what do other consoles offer? An easy to use party chat system thats integrated into the console and makes it easy to connect and play together with your friends? Pffff

Well on the switch you get so much more. There is chat and a party system, sure, but that's just the beginning. You have tons of browsers like chrome and Safari, access to thousands of apps through the app store or Google play, access to Whatspp, Skype , Facebook and all your favorite social media sites so you are connected with ALL your friends, not just those with a switch.
You can even make phone calls!!. When was the last time you could make buisness calls in between online matches on your Ps4 or X1?. Oh, that's right....Never!!

 

[iswasdoes]

They've had voice chat before (even on the DS of all things) and both the 3DS and Wii U have friend lists.

Friend lists could destroy their business over night? How many tin foil hats are you wearing right now?

I mean convenient friend lists where you can just add people without codes

Yep they had voice chat, and then its never been on any other game or console. I wonder why?

I think this is the real reason, and much more likely than 'Nintendo are just retarded'. But think what you want.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

lol.

Bro.

Come. The fuck. On. We're 1.5 months from launch and Nintendo has said 5 times now, in perfectly clear words, voice chat will be through smart devices. Please. Stop.

And I'm still not sure why you've spent all this energy to now arrive at the sole point that maybe somehow possibly Nintendo fucked up their messaging a half dozen times in a few days, all regarding a feature you claim not to care about.

100% true. Isnt Reggie the Marketing Boss? He fucked so hard up, he has to be replaced.

 

[Deleted member 125677]

I wouldn't mind an app if they managed to make the app run in the background on the Switch. If it's simply a smartphone app, then there's hardly any advantage to it compared to simply choosing another third party voice chat app (except your nnid friend list not transferring over).

 

[Ollie Pooch]

I'm certainly not an IOS expert, but I don't see the problem. The Switch connects to the iPhones hotspot, the Switch opens an audio stream on some port, the iPhone app does some kind of local network device discovery and starts playing the audio stream. In this scenario you already need to have your Switch connected to your phone hotspot to get an internet connection so this would happen automatically when the app is open and your Switch is connected to your phone. I don't see how that is convoluted from a user standpoint.

Well, firstly I think most people don't actually want their switch using their hotspot and would prefer it to use their home internet.

Again, pretty sure the iPhone can't do "network device discovery" when it's in hotspot mode, it just doesn't work that way. Your example makes it extra terrible because you'd need to use your phone data plan just to get the switch online to even stream audio. A terrible solution and even more convoluted than the current app setup!

I think it's safe to assume - with precedent - that this just isn't very well thought out and that if you are using your phone for chat, audio will come out of the switch speakers and NOT the phone/headset.

 

[geordiemp]

I am cringing at the Nintendo supporters justifying this.

Its a good read though, some of the mental gymnastics is hilarious.

I wouldn't mind an app if they managed to make the app run in the background on the Switch. If it's simply a smartphone app, then there's hardly any advantage to it compared to simply choosing another third party voice chat app (except your nnid friend list not transferring over).

A complimentary phone app is a good idea for when NOT using your console, but thats it. I used to play COD in a clan and we used whatsapp to arrange things in advance, but once your console is on, then that should be the end of any app.

Think CLAN support in something like destiny organising people for raids...

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

lol.

Bro.

Come. The fuck. On. We're 1.5 months from launch and Nintendo has said 5 times now, in perfectly clear words, voice chat will be through smart devices. Please. Stop.

And I'm still not sure why you've spent all this energy to now arrive at the sole point that maybe somehow possibly Nintendo fucked up their messaging a half dozen times in a few days, all regarding a feature you claim not to care about.

...

Where did I even challenge that voice chat will be through phones?

You're acting as though it's unreasonable to expect another direct that covers their online approach.

I guess you can believe whatever narrative you wanna spin. Rest of us will wait and see.

 

[EVH]

I am cringing at the Nintendo supporters justifying this.

It has been like this since DS and friend codes. First it was something like "well it is just like dialing a phone number". Now you actually got to take the fucking phone and pay for it. Some even justified the no-user account system. Same with achievement system or other basic standard features.

I wouldn't mind an app if they managed to make the app run in the background on the Switch. If it's simply a smartphone app, then there's hardly any advantage to it compared to simply choosing another third party voice chat app (except your nnid friend list not transferring over).

They just need to copy Steam. Have a smartphone app that includes eShop, friend list, chat, notification and invitation system. Do the same in the console and integrate it with the OS interface. But as shown by that infamous eurogamer interview with the Wii U developer, they have no fucking clue about building a decent online platform.

 

[tmespe]

100% true. Isnt Reggie the Marketing Boss? He fucked so hard up, he has to be replaced.

If Nintendo had simply made a compelling argument for why this can be a compelling service, or any explanation at all except for " you don't have to carry a gamer headset", this would have gone so much better. They still might do, but by now, I feel it's more likely that they simply don't have a compelling argument for why.

 

[azyless]

I wouldn't mind an app if they managed to make the app run in the background on the Switch. If it's simply a smartphone app, then there's hardly any advantage to it compared to simply choosing another third party voice chat app (except your nnid friend list not transferring over).

Honestly I might be wrong here but everything I've seen leads me to think that the OS will be extremely barebones and there basically won't be anything but games on this.
I also think we would have heard of it by now instead of Nintendo only ever talking about it in relation to a smartphone app.

I think this is the real reason, and much more likely than 'Nintendo are just retarded'. But think what you want.

It being the real reason doesn't make it any less stupid.

 

[PR_rambo]

I don't think Nintendo fans use online multiplayer. Honestly, I consider myself one and really only played Smash and Mario Kart online for a few hours at most. I generally prefer local couch co-op or playing bots/computers.

It's going to take more than Nintendo hardcores to make switch a success. As an avid competitive multiplayer gamer, the online effort from Nintendo is absolutely baffling. It would be a step backwards to play multiplatform online competitive games on switch like FIFA or Battlefield etc

 

[GAMEPROFF]

If Nintendo had simply made a compelling argument for why this can be a compelling service, or any explanation at all except for " you don't have to carry a gamer headset", this would have gone so much better. They still might do, but by now, I feel it's more likely that they simply don't have a compelling argument for why.

Exactly. All Reggie does is dropping small hints and no clear informations. He should stop if he cant answer right now.

 

[JetSetRadio]

Haha, I was going to get this thing to play MK8 and splatoon online. AT HOME
This is terrible.

 

[GarthVaderUK]

It's going to take more than Nintendo hardcores to make switch a success.

Yep, and the Wii U sales showed the Nintendo faithful are pretty limited in number.

I find all the recent Switch news very frustrating - I was fully on board for a return to Nintendo hardware (I love the basic concept and the hardware looks great) but it's like they're trying their best to put me off. Urgh.

 

[OfTheOverflow]

Just chiming in to say yeah, this is dumb.

 

[Calabi]

I didn't read through the whole tread, so sorry if this has been said before.

While this sucks, its essentially the only way Nintendo would let themselves do a proper online service because of their extreme concerns about protecting their family brand.

The way I think it will work is like this: the online service you already get on wii U (i.e. random matches in smash, Mario kart etc) will remain as is, no smartphone required.

You only need a smartphone if you want to have a friends list, voice chat etc.

And the reason for this is the app will be age gatewayed and parental controlled, which means Nintendo cant get blasted for providing a child hotline for peados, which is why they've never done voice chat or convenient friend lists before as this would destroy their business overnight.

So its the peados fault, Yeah it sucks, but it's better than nothing.

So Nintendo cant protect them on their own platform so they pass it onto another plaftmorm which is is no way more secure. Parents hand their kids their phone all time. Kids even have phones now.

If its a Nintendo app then why is it age gated? Nintendo is for kids. So then maybe people wont use it. Nintendo worried about a complete minority problem. I havent heard of any problem with Peados on Playstation or Xbox where they should be as much of a problem as on Nintendo. And Nintendo could do more things on their platform and service to make it more secure.

This is just dumb Nintendo, there is no benefit from a security perspective.

 

[Fj0823]

So what about Switch users without a smartphone?...

Why would you live without a smartphone?

 

[Camp Freddie]

Wow, Reggie has his work cut out doing the PR for this shit.

People game on consoles because they're more convenient than a PC and better than a tablet/phone.
Now you have to simultaneously connect your phone/tablet while playing the console?

Also, phones have shit-tier battery life if you're running speech through them. And people game in the evenings after school/work, so their batteries will be moderately depleted from using them during the day. I'd have to connect a charger to my phone, plus a headset, while also holding a controller.

This reminds me of some of the XBox online era, when my friends and I would have our laptops on the arm of the sofa running Ventrillo or TeamSpeak because the XBox chat system was unreliable/low quality.

Just put the online UI in the game, bluetooth audio support on the console plus a 3.5mm jack on the controller. It works really well. It is a solved problem.
Or is 300 fucking quid not enough to pay for these cutting edge luxury I/O functions that I've had on my cheap cellphone for the last decade.

 

[unrenowned]

I'm certainly not an IOS expert, but I don't see the problem. The Switch connects to the iPhones hotspot, the Switch opens an audio stream on some port, the iPhone app does some kind of local network device discovery and starts playing the audio stream. In this scenario you already need to have your Switch connected to your phone hotspot to get an internet connection so this would happen automatically when the app is open and your Switch is connected to your phone. I don't see how that is convoluted from a user standpoint.

You will be draining your phone battery so fast.
Not so keen on audio being transferred over wifi since it's already full of interference as is, especially out and about. Since you're already using the phone wifi to play online I'd prefer nothing else to impact it further. Maybe Bluetooth would be better?

Edit: Unless you use Bluetooth headphones to your phone that is, then Bluetooth wouldn't work between Switch and phone I'd imagine.

 

[Bendo]

What about at home ? Do I have to play online with my mobile network now ?

A hotspot is just a wifi network like any other. When you're at home your phone and Switch are on the same network and can talk to each other just like they can if you use your phone as a hotspot. Nothing convoluted about that.

Additionally you would need to enable tethering every time you want to use your switch. I think tethering is not supported by some carriers as well, and the function is probably unknown for a lot of users. It's seems incredibly convoluted.

If your phone doesn't support tethering then how do you plan to play multiplayer games on your Switch in the first place?

Again, I'm not saying this is how it will work, I'm just pointing out that it doesn't need to be all that complicated. If they wanted to be lazy they could even pipe the audio through Nintendo servers, you'd get way more latency, but at least you'd avoid network problems. Either way, for all their mishandling of online features I don't think even Nintendo would be stupid enough to implement voice chat with game audio and charging for it, that would be 100% worthless.

 

[SmokinGunZ1981]

I've been flip flopping on cancelling my pre-order over the last few days and it's things like this that are making that happen.

The console releases in roughly 6 weeks and I'm still not entirely sure what I'm getting with regards to functionality.

If it's true that I'll need to run matching making, voice comms, etc. through an app on my phone/tablet I'm definitely cancelling.

 

[Camper Van Beethoven]

As an OPTION this is really cool. I like the idea.

As a mandatory thing it's pretty stupid and shows how Nintendo are incredible incompetent. Thankfully I won't be playing Switch online anyway

 

[down 2 orth]

Oh what a mess this is. It's amazing how similar this is to the X-Box reveal, in the way that Nintendo's presenting a console with features that they want, and nobody else asked for.

I have to say, when I look at the new CEO, it kind of makes sense. The guy looks like a total sociopath, pretty much how I'd imagine a Konami executive to look as he's telling a producer to go clean some toilets at the gym down the street.

 

[Broken Hope]

I just don't think Nintendo are capable of programming a capable OS and DeNa are handling all the app stuff.

I mean Nintendo can't even make a simple settings app load quicker than about 20 seconds on the Wii U, even the oldest phones handle it much faster than that.

 

[Seloth]

I have to say, when I look at the new CEO, it kind of makes sense. The guy looks like a total sociopath, pretty much how I'd imagine a Konami executive to look as he's telling a producer to go clean some toilets at the gym down the street.

Be critical of the product but there's no need for this shit.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

Why would you live without a smartphone?

Kids exist.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

A hotspot is just a wifi network like any other. When you're at home your phone and Switch are on the same network and can talk to each other just like they can if you use your phone as a hotspot. Nothing convoluted about that.

If your phone doesn't support tethering then how do you plan to play multiplayer games on your Switch in the first place?

Again, I'm not saying this is how it will work, I'm just pointing out that it doesn't need to be all that complicated. If they wanted to be lazy they could even pipe the audio through Nintendo servers, you'd get way more latency, but at least you'd avoid network problems. Either way, for all their mishandling of online features I don't think even Nintendo would be stupid enough to implement voice chat with game audio and charging for it, that would be 100% worthless.

I'm actually convinced you don't know what tethering actually is. You don't need to tether to your phone to play online games, firstly, (a wifi home network would work just fine) and a hotspot connection is NOT a wifi network 'like any other'. At all. Tethering,for example, my laptop to my iPhone does not suddenly allow the iPhone to view documents on the laptop, or the other way around. It simply shares its 3g/4g connection over wifi to the laptop.

 

[PSFan]

You will be draining your phone battery so fast.

And your monthly data limit too.

 

[Fj0823]

Kids exist.

I was making a reference to another console launch shitshow

 

[Roxas]

Jesus christ, i dont want to have to use my smartphone to create online matches. Having to constantly charge my phone, the switch tablet, the joy cons, the pro controller just to play your stupid fucking console. Ughhhhhh

 

[GhostTrick]

I wonder though, how can you have a headset for the game if you have to use a voice chat app on your phone ?

 

[Alcoholikaust]

Um...Zelda?

I don't see how a WiiU/Cemu release is good news for the Switch

 

[Dehnus]

http://nintendotoday.com/switch-app-matchmaking/



Needing two devices to do the work only one should be doing isn't elegant to me, but I use a big bulky headset so what do I know?

LOOOOL! The shareholders wanted paid online while scroogling all the data they can so that it can be sold to third parties. And Reggie? Well, he just does that motion and aggrees with it. .

I for one am not getting that monstrosity until they fix that scroogle stuff, no paid online, unless I get to pick any 30 year old NES game I want like PSNow and no shit on smartphones that invade my privacy. Just play online on the same device.

Until then, PC is fine... and who knows VITA is starting to sound more and more attractive.

 

[protomouse]

nvm

 

[Dehnus]

I don't understand how a company has become so divorced from its user base.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8246/8491125952_c2c7c854d8.jpg

Thinking that and being a shareholder, that is basically why it is such a big mess.