Fixed.
Reggie: Switch matchmaking and lobbies handled through phone app
- Thread starter Zombie James
- Start date
- Status
Fixed.
It became Swapdoodle!
Well... yes.
But this is still dumb and cumbersome. You are now reliant on two batteries to not running out.
I don't think anyone is expecting something as stupid as a voice chat app that cuts off when the screen turns off or that you'd have to keep swapping to your phone each match to affirm your desire to continue. The people against it are against it because it requires a separate device to do something everything else has built in. No UI will offset that. The UI sucking or not will only sway someone on the fence with the approach, but there's not a UI in the world that'd change someone's mind opposed because they don't want to use their phone.
In Service
Member
60 pages to get the truth. You win good sir.
I don't see how having to have my phone to hand to do this stuff is necessary. I leave it as far away from me as possible when I'm at home because I get work emails on it.
Any chance they chose this way because they couldn't be bothered to fit it in the UI? XBox Smartglass is a bit useless but they could have designed an app to run alongside an incorporated system.
Infinite_Daremo
Member
I can understand its reasoning for a portable. On the go you can connect to your phones cellular and use up your data allowance in seconds. Brilliant idea. And at home you can further complicate things by slowing down the data exchange through 2 devices. Its so brilliant its saved me £280 permanently.
A data plan isn't needed. In pretty much any scenario where you will be playing online with the Switch, you will have wifi and no be using data.
Lol it didn't take 60 pages for us to arrive to that conclusion, we've just been going in circles the entire time.
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
.I hate that way Nintendo allocates it's R&D funding. They waste time with gimmicks, over design their hardware to have features we're not likely to use like HD Rumble but can't be bothered with meat and potatoes stuff like having a decent battery.
I thought the Switch was a good idea until I realised it's just an extension of the Wii/Wii-U philosophy ie. gimmicks over substance.
I thought the Switch was a good idea until I realised it's just an extension of the Wii/Wii-U philosophy ie. gimmicks over substance.
..and you're saying that a smartphone itself isn't a completely optional luxury entertainment device? It is (for most people at least). They might have convinced themselves it's essential but it really isn't.
It seems random matchmaking (ranked/unranked) is in-game and "enhanced" matchmaking (friends/lobbies/voice chat) is in-app only.
The app will be available in limited form (whatever that means) sometime this Summer and goes paid in Fall. So no friends/lobbies/voice chat til then.
We don't know what devices will be supported but it's a good bet only iPhone and Android for the near future and who knows, really.
Actually...
And I can't imagine many kids 10 and under being permitted to game online without supervision, so there's that.
Alright so let me get this straight just to make sure I'm not misunderstanding you. You think that they would be reinventing the wheel by integrating matchmaking and lobbies into the gaming device?
ZombiePlatypus
Member
It's far more universally adopted and used than a dedicated gaming device.
MoogleWizard
Member
I don't get it. Matchmaking through the app on the phone while playing a game on the Switch, how is that going to work??
-Plasma Reus-
Service guarantees member status
So this console is going to be a disaster isn't it.
Dark Cloud
Member
The best plan at this point is wait and see and hear all the details exactly. We have a foundation of what it sounds like, but please Nintendo ASAP would be nice for the whole online infrastructure.
Yeah Minecraft doesn't exist yet in our world.
orthodoxy1095
Banned
Again: except that now you have to pay for that barebones experience.
They have such elaborate parental controls, putting in voice chat too seems trivial.
Or simply not allowing public voice chat.
Azure Phoenix
Member
Having an app that does that isn't a bad idea, having the app be the ONLY way to do that is a terrible idea. Even more so when you're asking me to pay for your online service.
thanks for clarifying.Okay let me help with the visualization because I realize people get confused by this really easily.
Imagine you are playing a game on Steam/Origin/PS3/PS4/360/XB1/whateveeeeeeeer. The game is running, the game has multiplayer options. But to access your friend list, chat options, and all that you usually have to bring up the system overlay right? Now imagine that instead of a system overlay in the game, it's just an app on your phone. That's how it will work.
I didn't realize Minecraft required that you play it online.
Evolution of Metal
Member
There are many examples of game clients being separate from launchers. For example LoL or BF4 (now redesigned). However, once inside the game all features are built into the engine, so... Sure there are Origin overlays, but voice chat rarely runs externally without users making a separate group in skype or discord.
Custom matchmaking, i.e. getting in touch with people outside a game, will work by using your smart device. There is no evidence that you have to do this while playing on your Switch, however. That bit is pure conjecture.
We like to say "doomed," but yes. Easily.
If you have the right phone, of course.
I agree this is what definitely needs clarifying. If it's supplementary to the console itself then...cool! Makes no sense to me why the app couldn't be made for the switch itself.
It is indeed. But it's by no means essential.
geordiemp
Member
Actually the problem is not invites or match making, its people like to listen to the game while in voice chat....It is 2017, you should be able to perfectly balance both game and chat volume in your earpiece...
Maybe you can have one earpiece on left ear and the phone earpiece on right ear (LOL) - I can imagine the defences...
Next we are going to get - but game music and sounds are not important.....
how much do you get paid for this?
you are letting them off the hook for building a convoluted experience that requires outside hardware because they are fundamentally incompetent. That's your reason for being okay with this, for championing this decision.
Nintendo is terrible at software therefore this Nintendo software is great.
what the fuck?
Dark Cloud
Member
Or a smart device. It's not just a phone.
Yes, it has a headphone jack.
Big Green Anus
Member
Does the Switch have a headphone jack? If so, I hope you can listen to game audio and maybe wirelessly hear voice chat from the smartphone
Someone explain this to me: how do I play Splatoon 2 online? Do I need to search for a game through the app? How does that sync with the game? What happens if I try to find a match in the game? Does a big text box telling me to go download the app pop up?
I'm so confused. I just wanna put the game in and then play the game.
I'm so confused. I just wanna put the game in and then play the game.
Oh, I hope I can have my (android or ios) tablet on my lap while I play!
Read some of the posts above. If you are looking for concrete info you will need to ask Reggie.
That's just my guess with Splatoon 2. It won't be barebones if the smartphone app offers all of that online gaming functionality. It might be awkward that it's on a smartphone and not system level. But it won't be barebones.
They'll just pipe the audio from the Switch through your phone. If you're on the move you're tethered and have a direct connection, and if you're on wifi then your phone and Switch will share the same network. The latency should be minimal.
JordanN
Banned
I just had an amazing thought.
What if Nintendo is using the Switch as a vehicle to become a completely Mobile developer?
Say the system flops, they would have all the userbase subscribed to their App service.
They also made the Joycon controllers detachable as a way of testing future add-ons for mobile devices.
Bookmark this post, I think I just predicted Nintendo's entire business future.
What if Nintendo is using the Switch as a vehicle to become a completely Mobile developer?
Say the system flops, they would have all the userbase subscribed to their App service.
They also made the Joycon controllers detachable as a way of testing future add-ons for mobile devices.
Bookmark this post, I think I just predicted Nintendo's entire business future.
Why would you need it on your lap? How often do you have to check your friend list? Or do you have the world's shortest headset cable?
yes, it wouldbe annoying
maquiladora
Member
Nintendo brought back the Second Screen Experience.
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