[UPDATE] Nintendo confirms Super Mario Maker 2's online mode will be restricted to randoms only
On May 15th, we got to see a wealth of new information about one of the most anticipated upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch; Super Mario Maker 2. During the Nintendo Direct, details such as the co-op mode, which lets players experience crazy levels together with their friends both online and offline was revealed. At least, that's what many thought it to be, until an embargoed press event took place. During the event, publications were invited to play an early build of the game, and try out some of the new features of Mario Maker 2. According to one of the websites in attendance, Nintendo World Report, a Nintendo representative explained that online co-op play is limited to randoms-only, and that players will not be able to join up with their friends over the internet. The Nintendo rep stated that the reasoning behind the decision was because the competitive global leaderboards would be "compromised". Oddly enough, it wouldn't impact the co-op function, as those do not have a leaderboard, but the representative said that simple co-op would not be playable with friends online either.
If this is true, then you'll only be able to play co-op with friends over local wireless or through a single docked console, while the online mode is limited to lobbies of randomly picked players. Of course, Nintendo's track record for online games wouldn't make such a choice outside the realm of possibility, but it does seem an odd thing to exclude, especially for a flagship title that will help represent the Nintendo Switch Online service.
As this was a comment made by a media representative of Nintendo, and not from a Nintendo Direct, or straight from a press release, it's hard to judge the credibility of the statement. Other outlets that got to try Super Mario Maker 2 hands-on appear to make no mention of being able to play online modes with friends, making this possible, but not official. Should this be addressed by Nintendo itself, an edit will be made to clarify the situation.
Nintendo World Report - "Online Play in Super Mario Maker 2 Limited to Randoms Only"UPDATE
Nintendo itself has confirmed this to be true. The company's official stance is, "This is true. As the game is now, you cannot create friend lobbies online. You can only play online with randoms. You can still get friends together and play with local play, and you're free to play with four players on one Switch system. You can also still challenge your friends to your creations, and take on their designs through Course UDs and having them follow your Maker Profile."
