After confusing reports and lots of wondering, Nintendo has finally given a solid release date for when the paid online service for the Nintendo Switch will launch. Come September 2018, the free online will end, and the $20 a year online subscription will be required to play games online. Nothing else was revealed, but more details were promised in the coming months.

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[Kioku]

Again, if Nintendo actually improves their online service, I have no issue with paying $20 a year.
However, if they simply put the current online service (which isn't that great) behind a pay wall, then I do have an issue.

I think that's a lot of people's concern.

If it is, only a few are expressing it.

 

[Supster131]

What's wrong with their current service? I've only ever played the 3DS and Wii U online, and I never encountered any problems. Did the Wii/U have inherent online issues that I'm missing?

It isn't terrible, but it lacks what we consider the norm for an online service.. They took a step backwards on the Switch in terms of adding people. On the Wii U, you add people via their name. On the Switch, you use friend codes again. Friend codes are not memorable.
A messaging system and party system would be nice too.

 

[Deathscreton]

It isn't terrible, but it lacks what we consider the norm for an online service.. They took a step backwards on the Switch in terms of adding people. On the Wii U, you add people via their name. On the Switch, you use friend codes again. Friend codes are not memorable.
A messaging system and party system would be nice too.

So I'm totally onboard with a revamped messaging and party system. The two shouldn't have to be separate from the console. It kinda feels like a hacked together thrid party solution to a shitty first party implementation. I still feel it's worth the 20 for online play however. If we were talking infrastructure issues like the only thing reliable about their online service is how unreliable it is, then yeah, I could totally understand that. For now though, I'm just confused.

 

[Supster131]

So I'm totally onboard with a revamped messaging and party system. The two shouldn't have to be separate from the console. It kinda feels like a hacked together thrid party solution to a shitty first party implementation. I still feel it's worth the 20 for online play however. If we were talking infrastructure issues like the only thing reliable about their online service is how unreliable it is, then yeah, I could totally understand that. For now though, I'm just confused.

Well, most (if not all?) current multiplayer games on the Switch are peer-to-peer. I wouldn't exactly want to pay for peer-to-peer. If they turned to dedicated servers, then I have no issue.

 

[Deathscreton]

Well, most (if not all?) current multiplayer games on the Switch are peer-to-peer. I wouldn't exactly want to pay for peer-to-peer. If they turned to dedicated servers, then I have no issue.

Splatoon 2 is a peer-to-peer multiplayer game? That does seem backwards. I obviously haven't done enough research into this.

 

[Supster131]

Splatoon 2 is a peer-to-peer multiplayer game? That does seem backwards. I obviously haven't done enough research into this.

Yup.
Splatoon 2 also has a slower tick rate compared to Splatoon 1.

That's why I'm saying. These are the kind of things I want to see improved and changed. Otherwise, I won't find the $20 worth it.

 

[TheNintendoEnthusiast]

I am ok with 20/yr!

 

[isoboy]

I completely gave up on Nintendo for some kind of proper party system a long time ago. I have no expectations other than to pay for their online service. There will be no easy click and go solutions here. There HAS to be some kind of fucked up GUI or menus or other stuff that ruins the experience. Just wait for it.

 

[DJPlace]

wish sony would do 20 bucks a year without the PS PLUS games since there fucking shit!! (well most of the time) will this apply to 3ds games has well or switch only?

 

[ut2k4master]

wish sony would do 20 bucks a year without the PS PLUS games since there fucking shit!! (well most of the time) will this apply to 3ds games has well or switch only?

switch only

 

[Captain_N]

$20 a year is not a problem. They really need save backups. They should let us archive saves on an encrypted usb drive like the wii u did. Last time i checked you cant use your pc(not including the emulator) to place games on the wii u formatted usb drive. Its encrypted. you have to do it with the console its self using the installer. They really should just encrypt the entire sd card with large encryption like 1024 or higher bit. then let us copy our saves to it.

As for cheaters the server needs to be able to detect that. for p2p, the other players games should detect something like a player driving at star speed in Mario kart 8 D when they dont have it or getting starts in first or a player with inf ammo. Nintendo also has to be able to detect custom os and firmware. If they cant do anything then their is no point in charging people when there is cheating. Wimmfi bans cheating noobs. if they can Nintendo definitely can... And when you cheat your console should be banned.

 

[dAVID_]

Well $20 a year isn't all that bad.
Nintendo finally realized what makes Sony and Xbox millions from their consoles and are now getting in on the money-printing.

 

[Kioku]

I completely gave up on Nintendo for some kind of proper party system a long time ago. I have no expectations other than to pay for their online service. There will be no easy click and go solutions here. There HAS to be some kind of fucked up GUI or menus or other stuff that ruins the experience. Just wait for it.

Unfortunately this may be the reality. Would just be another service I stray from.