Multiple reports of joycon connectivity issues in Switch previews
- Thread starter nynt9
- Start date
UncleSporky
Member
I'm not complaining about the issue, I'm saying that this problem would have a huge effect on both 1-2 Switch and ARMS, so it has to be solvable. They wouldn't release games played like that if there was nothing you can do about this.
SomedayTheFire
Member
Could be a master/slave issue if it's a scatternet set up, which I assume it is.
It is very likely related to distance since the signal strength will follow an inverse square law, i.e. get weaker faster the further you get away.
Edit: but the fact it is affected by distance only goes to show what a poor signal it must start out with.
I mean this is bad and should not happen at 10 feet but it's not a game breaker since you can move closer to the console - i know, i know you shouldn't have to though...
The issue is with the analog sticks, and the only playable game (Zelda) relies on the left analog stick for movement. Judging by the GameXplain video both joycons seem similarly susceptible to the issue, it's just that you don't use the right analog nearly as much as the left one in Zelda. If they only had a game like Splatoon to play, they'd probably say both had issues imo.
Well this is certainly not good. I hope Nintendo will come out and address (or at least acknowledge) this issue before launch. I am STILL on the fence about this damn console. I figure I have until early Wednesday to make up my mind before Amazon charges me. This latest issue is making my decision easier added to the crappy launch lineup, no VC, plus a ton of other games I want to play coming up.
eyeball_kid
Member
I don't know.... pre-4.0, I believe the only low-power option was EDR which reduces the polling rate. Not sure that would be acceptable for a controller.
Why wouldn't the stock grip make a difference? It prevents your hands from covering the metal parts.
The post you quoted states that it can likely be fixed with a firmware update.
I'm sure everything will be fine next weekend.
Sorry, l wasn't doubting you! I'm just am surprised.
There are a few issues/disadvantages since they're using Bluetooth 3.0/3.1:
Coexistence with 4G
Bluetooth (pre 4.0) and 4G (LTE) famously don't get on: their signals interfere degrading one another's performance and draining battery life. This could be an issue since the switch requires a mobile phone for some online features (and since most have/are 4G).
Low Energy
I know you mentioned LE works by having a lower/no data stream (known as an "always off" technology), but one of the other 4.0 LE advantages is it could aggregate data from various sensors (known as Bluetooth Smart).
Round-Up
In addition to these main features each revision has improved upon power consumption, data rate, security, pairing reliability, ease and speed etc. That means if given an option, always go with the highest Bluetooth version.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
People just bought nine Xbox 360s instead.
Last gen had the worst QA'd console in video game history. A billion dollar expense. We just went through a major phone manufacturer's products exploding all across the world. We're all still here. Including those companies. And their products.
Y'all need to take some deep, deep breaths. No one's ship is going down over glitchy signals.
I think he means because it doesn't add power.
It wouldn't make a difference with the inherent problem of the signal being too weak.
The fix for this is really obvious - either increase the sensitivity of the receptor or boost the outgoing signal. The reason I ask if it's the charging grip is because like others have noted, the signal might already be getting a power boost when the joycons are docked with the console.
Except in that gamexplain video, there was obviously reduced signal strength on the right Joy-Con with the analog stick but it wasn't at the same level as the left one.
The right one had much better signal strength.
Spukc
always chasing the next thrill
Until you play it yourself and die ingame because of glitches in the connection.
Pretty sure most people will say f that.
SomedayTheFire
Member
Yeah it's mind boggling really. Must be a cost thing. I was shocked when I first found out they weren't using 4.*
You're stating this as if Nintendo designed the joycons with this flaw in mind. I'm thinking they didn't and are just finding out now. So yeah, they could release games played like that if they didn't anticipate this happening.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
git gud signals
I was thinking exactly this. If they are both using the same BT chip, it wouldn't make sense for just the left one to have problems.
But then how did those games play well at events? I assume people stood a few feet away from the switch.
It's just disheartening that on top of a weak launch lineup, lack of VC, lack of clarity about online, now we have potentially screwed up controllers. They havnt handled this launch well at all, and if it weren't for zeldas brilliance or the core concept of Switch being so good, it would be a disaster.
And with that, Nintendo is going to hurt more from losing a billion dollars than Microsoft, Sony, or Samsung.
iKnackwurst
Member
Maybe the antenna is in a different place? the right one has nfc and the ir-camera.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
The Wii IR was useless in set-ups with a strong backlight.
Still is!
Still is!
It does if the placement of the chip is different inside the joycons themselves.
Spukc
always chasing the next thrill
Omg i just remembered that the joycon can sense distance to your hands and see shapes.
How the hell will they sense when they glitch when blocked by hands ?
I mean ffs its a damn function on the controller
Advertised by nintendo
How could they NOT have tested this?
How the hell will they sense when they glitch when blocked by hands ?
I mean ffs its a damn function on the controller
Advertised by nintendo
How could they NOT have tested this?
SomedayTheFire
Member
Well yeah, it's IR.
The Xbox One doesn't though.
TLZ
Banned
Maybe you have to sit inside it.
Tavernacle12
Member
Supposedly they were closer to the systems and there were actual issues but they assumed they'd be fixed in time.
I'm sure Nintendo will release a statement once they can discern how big an issue this is and decide how to handle it.
I think it's too early to warrant such a fierce reaction to this news. I wish some of this uber scrutiny would apply to other vendors; I personally think the 3 hour battery life I get on my PS4 controllers is downright scandalous compared to intermittent connection issues that in all likelihood can be patched.
Serenitynow
Member
What are the chances Nintendo doesn't even acknowledge the issue? Geez, who runs their PR department? Crisis management 101: be quick and be transparent. Even a simple tweet saying, "We are aware of the issue and are looking into it" would suffice.
UncleSporky
Member
There's absolutely no way they're finding out just now, because they made 1-2 Switch. In their own designing and testing they have definitely had people standing between the Switch and the joycon before. It's completely absurd to think this wouldn't have been tested.
I mean this is a statistic about the console like any other, something they measure in different situations and use cases. It's like if we discovered that the controllers have a 10 minute battery life and saying that they must've designed them plugged in the whole time and never tested the life, and are just finding about it now.
What I'm saying is, they know this is an issue and they also have a fix, because there is no way they could've made and sold 1-2 Switch and ARMS without a fix already planned.
Except you can charge the DS4 even while you're using it. You have to buy a $30 add-on to do the same with the Joycon unless you play in handheld mode, which a lot of people don't want to do.
CharminUltra
Member
Upon reading the news Shuhei Yoshida was like "ABORT PROTOTYPE ABORT ABORT"
brandonh83
Banned
I can almost hear ambulance sirens going off while reading the thread.
No it's not a good thing but if it's a major problem it'll surely be addressed.
The DS4 also has a really shit battery life. The first batch also had really horrible build quality with triggers that frequently broke and a sticks with degrading rubber.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
It's been like five fucking minutes in corporate time holy shit
Tavernacle12
Member
Agreed. It's gonna suck if I get it and my controller is wonky but I'll just play handheld mode until they fix it. Maybe we'll all get free VC games early again!!!
It's been an entire day. And corporations in the west coast are about to close for the day.
brandonh83
Banned
Shitty Joy Con Ambassador Program!
I toughed it out through the rocky launch of 3DS and Wii U. I'm going to try to stay optimistic that Nintendo will sort this out somehow, whether through patches, recalls, or just "sorry, have some VC games."
At the very least, most (if not all) games should still be playable in some form or another (handheld mode, pro controller, adjusting your position.)
I really really hope this can be fixed with a patch though. Sucks to see the impressions of the system take a bit of a nosedive so close to launch over a technical issue.
At the very least, most (if not all) games should still be playable in some form or another (handheld mode, pro controller, adjusting your position.)
I really really hope this can be fixed with a patch though. Sucks to see the impressions of the system take a bit of a nosedive so close to launch over a technical issue.
How's the rubber on your joysticks holding up?
Tavernacle12
Member
I don't think they've had enough time to determine the issue, a fix, and a strategy for deploying that fix yet. They'll surely put out a press release prior to the Nindies direct.
Nintendo's marketing branch for the US is on the west cost. The division that calls the shots and would actually be the ones fixing this, making a patch, etc are in Japan. They were sleeping until a few hours ago. That's assuming those with preview units only mentioned this issue today to their Nintendo reps and not yesterday or the day before.
Mr. Pointy
Member
Nintendo works with Apple ONCE and their devices also get signal problems when you hold them wrong.