Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: Soren on January 13, 2017, 11:20:44 AM
Title: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Soren on January 13, 2017, 11:20:44 AM
So Nintendo kinda threw a curveball with their online services on Switch. I don't think it's for the best. Here's the details so far
- Free Online at launch: sign in on your Nintendo account, and you can play online co-op and competitive multiplayer games. - Paid Online at Fall: With a smartphone app you can connect to Switch and have online lobbies and voice chat (a free version of this will come during the Summer). - Monthly Game Download: You get to play a NES and SNES game with newly added online play for free for a month. The wording though makes it sound like you'll only have access to that game for that specific month only. Then you lose it. - Exclusive deals: Yay, more 10% off deals!
I am divided on this. On one hand, Nintendo has very little to offer online that I feel like they really need to make this service worth it. Which means that fringe games that didn't have online now need to have online. Mario Party games need to have online, Mario/Kirby/Donkey Kong games need to have online co-op. Nintendo needs to go all in if they expect people to pay for this.
The monthly game thing looks like a terrible sell. I can understand a situation where you lose your games if you let your subscription expire. But I find it ludicrous to have access to a game for just one month and then either lose it forever or be forced to buy it.
As it stands, this does not feel like a good step up.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Kairon on January 13, 2017, 12:43:59 PM
It's gonna be a very hard sell for them, really they don't have the sort of software library at launch that screams for online support, but they'd be leaving so much money on the table by not having paid online. In fact, it's probably costing them oodles of money to keep it free.
On the one hand it gives them real incentive (and resources) to make good, robust online experiences and start actually attempting to catch up to competitors in this regard. On the other hand for a good long while they most likely will NOT be competitive with this as a paid service.
It's a path to set down on though, since both Sony and MS charge for full online and the world has accepted that.
It IS curious to wonder if this will pressure them to make certain types of games or experiences to justify the service though. Will everything have shoe-horned online multiplayer now, like you suggest?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Adrock on January 13, 2017, 12:56:57 PM
Pricing will dictate how well this is received. Free is obviously ideal. I think most people can live with $20 a year. Same as Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, get the **** out of here. Nintendo is starting at a deficit because its online infrastructure has never been great, and it won't have as much content as One and PS4. Considering the epic nickel and diming Nintendo is pulling with Switch peripherals, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Switch's online service exceeds the cost of Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 13, 2017, 01:05:24 PM
I'm not surprised by paid online, I AM surprised and disappointed at the wording implying that the "Free" game will no longer be available for those who downloaded it after the month ends, even with an active subscription.
Also, while I don't play Nintendo games online with other friends enough to matter, I think it's a joke it requires a separate app for inviting friends to a group, voice chat, and other online features that the consoles have baked INTO THE SYSTEM. Maybe logic for Nintendo is that those with phones are adults (or at least teens), so they're less concerned about moderating those avenues if they're pushing it to a phone app and it's not on their particular device? Dumb either way, IMO.
An annual subscription for me needs to be no more than $40, otherwise it really needs to wow me at launch to consider forking over for ANOTHER online subscription.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 13, 2017, 02:08:49 PM
Yeah, if it were 5 dollars a month, I think I could swing it (Switch it?). But only if matchmaking in Splatoon and ARMS was really streamlined.
The "free game for a month" thing is bullshit and they should feel bad for it.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: KeyBilly on January 13, 2017, 02:30:52 PM
Nintendo tends to make a mess of things when they get positive feedback. It happened after the initial positive showing of the 3DS, after the NES/SNES era, and more recently after the Wii. They become anti-consumer, or at least behave that way, and try to milk us mercilessly. It usually doesn't work, and I hope it doesn't this time either.
This is referring to the presentation in general, including the console and accessory prices, lack of a bundled game, etc. At a time when they should be humbled and seeking favor with customers as Sony did at the PS4 presentation, they went in the opposite direction and took the steam out of their comeback (and Steam is free). They do have two incredible games this year, so it's not so bad.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: TheSevenYearSwitch on January 13, 2017, 02:31:55 PM
I'm not sure what everyone's gripe is with the free for a month game. To me, FFaM > 20min demo.
You get the play the game free for a whole month, an NES or SNES game that has been upgraded and has online multiplayer. You're not paying for the game being online, you're paying for the game, and the online part continues with your paid subscription. What's so bad about that? I don't mean for that be snarky, I'm actually asking because to me it seems pretty fair. It's basically a demo, but you get it every month and without any limitations except for only having it for 30 days. No "you must purchase this game to continue to the next level" or "multiplayer is only available in the full version". Nope, you just get to play the full game, with online multiplayer, and if you like it, you buy it. That is leagues better than just getting a half-assed demo.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 13, 2017, 02:48:14 PM
I'm not sure what everyone's gripe is with the free for a month game. To me, FFaM > 20min demo.
You get the play the game free for a whole month, an NES or SNES game that has been upgraded and has online multiplayer. You're not paying for the game being online, you're paying for the game, and the online part continues with your paid subscription. What's so bad about that? I don't mean for that be snarky, I'm actually asking because to me it seems pretty fair. It's basically a demo, but you get it every month and without any limitations except for only having it for 30 days. No "you must purchase this game to continue to the next level" or "multiplayer is only available in the full version". Nope, you just get to play the full game, with online multiplayer, and if you like it, you buy it. That is leagues better than just getting a half-assed demo.
For me (and I assume others here), we have a direct comparison point of PS+ or Xbox live. Comparatively, those give you access to the games offered indefinitely for as long as you hold a subscription to their service.
Nintendo's offering may be fine to you personally, but to me, knowing that they're providing a 30 day pass instead of offering it outright, when they are NES and SNES games no less, makes the value proposition for me pretty low.
You may question the value of some of the PS+ game offerings, but it's also 2-3 games per system compared to the 1 for the switch. I suspect this is more a reflection of how slowly Nintendo expects to trickle out virtual console games than anything else, which is another concern of mine.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Mop it up on January 13, 2017, 03:14:13 PM
Yeah, I'm not surprised at all, in fact I expected them to try paid online this time. Still bums me out though.
The cynic in me is expecting the fee to be $10 a month, or $100 if you buy a year. Lately, Nintendo has been charging a premium for most of their products and services.
The sad thing is, I could actually envision free online being a selling point against the XBONE and PS4, especially when considering the Switch as a secondary console to them. It would be one less thing owners of those systems would have to pay for if they wanted Switch games.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Caterkiller on January 13, 2017, 03:24:14 PM
Well we'll see how this goes I guess. If the price is reasonable like $20 a year I'd be cool. I really don't want to pay more than $2 a month. But If its worth it at a higher price I just may bite.
I will say that I kind of like the idea of having lobbies and stuff on my phone right next to me.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Kairon on January 13, 2017, 03:31:59 PM
A lot will obviously depend on the price. With the current lineup of games $40 for a year still sounds like a big ask for someone like me who simply doesn't play online a lot to begin with.
Hmm... I wonder what sort of title would sell me on this without question? Probably an MMO like Phantasy Star Online or Dragon Quest X... Animal Crossing would ALMOST do it for me honestly LOL
Since I'm not into PVP, I guess I'm looking for more peaceful, cooperative, collaborative reasons to pay for online multiplayer.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Miyamoto on January 13, 2017, 03:49:39 PM
I seem to flip-flop between being absolutely furious and then being beyond caring about how shambolic Nintendo can so often be when it comes to utilising their back catalogue. Their whole library (or as much as possible) should be readily available at the Switch launch and should also be extremely aggressively priced. This would counter-balance the lacklustre 2017 release schedule and drive console sales which would in turn encourage further third party support. However, Nintendo seems perfectly happy to either hide their catalogue behind unrealistic prices or simply not make it available at all. It would appear that Nintendo continue to make poor decisions and require radical changes from the top down before they can begin to compete once more.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 13, 2017, 03:50:17 PM
I mean, SNES multiplayer games are definitely not the most compelling multiplayer experiences for online play. Many of them work much better as couch multiplayer games.
I don't know, there are other subscription services that are a bit better about giving free games and discounts. Of course, we've seen nothing of this service yet, so it's too early to judge.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: TheSevenYearSwitch on January 13, 2017, 03:51:06 PM
You may question the value of some of the PS+ game offerings, but it's also 2-3 games per system compared to the 1 for the switch. I suspect this is more a reflection of how slowly Nintendo expects to trickle out virtual console games than anything else, which is another concern of mine.
I don't own any consoles atm, so this is an honest question, but PS and Xbox give 2-3 free games every month?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 13, 2017, 03:59:14 PM
You may question the value of some of the PS+ game offerings, but it's also 2-3 games per system compared to the 1 for the switch. I suspect this is more a reflection of how slowly Nintendo expects to trickle out virtual console games than anything else, which is another concern of mine.
I don't own any consoles atm, so this is an honest question, but PS and Xbox give 2-3 free games every month?
Can't speak to Xbox live (don't pay for their service), but for PS+ this past month, 2 games were given out, and as long as your subscription service is active, you're able to access and play any game that was available that you've redeemed.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on January 13, 2017, 03:59:48 PM
The downloadable game is free to play for a month, then you have to buy it if you want to keep it. It doesn't disappear.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 13, 2017, 04:03:56 PM
The downloadable game is free to play for a month, then you have to buy it if you want to keep it. It doesn't disappear.
Is anyone arguing this? Pretty sure everyone here understands what you wrote is Nintendo's plans, I think the sticking point is why Nintendo is doing it this way when you'd expect a business like theirs to know that if they're going to charge for their online service, they're going to be compared to their peers and scrutinized accordingly.
I'm almost entirely convinced Balloon Fight will be one of the first month's games.
That said, I reserve complete judgement until I get my hands on the system in March and see what it will actually entail for features, sales, game of the month chosen, and pricing.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on January 13, 2017, 04:06:12 PM
Per the OP
- Monthly Game Download: You get to play a NES and SNES game with newly added online play for free for a month. The wording though makes it sound like you'll only have access to that game for that specific month only. Then you lose it.
Didn't see that it was clarified earlier. Still lame though, you should be able to get the game entirely for free if you pay for their online service. I have a ton of free PS3 and free PS4 games. They aren't AAA games every month, but sometimes they are.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 13, 2017, 04:15:37 PM
- Monthly Game Download: You get to play a NES and SNES game with newly added online play for free for a month. The wording though makes it sound like you'll only have access to that game for that specific month only. Then you lose it.
Didn't see that it was clarified earlier. Still lame though, you should be able to get the game entirely for free if you pay for their online service. I have a ton of free PS3 and free PS4 games. They aren't AAA games every month, but sometimes they are.
Sorry about that, misunderstood what you were getting at, and I was confused by who you were conversing with.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Ian Sane on January 13, 2017, 04:46:52 PM
The NES/SNES game thing is like the sort of idea that would sound good in theory to someone completely ignorant of what the competition offers. So that's probably exactly what it is. Nintendo is not known for being hip with what the rest of the industry is doing. In a vacuum it's a cool sounding idea. It's just next to the outright free games Sony has offered that it looks bad.
I'm confused about this phone app thing. Do I need to use my phone to do online play on the Switch? If so that's stupid as ****. Why the hell can't the system itself do it? Every other online videogame system to ever exist, including ones by Nintendo, do it themselves.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 13, 2017, 04:49:15 PM
I'm confused about this phone app thing. Do I need to use my phone to do online play on the Switch? If so that's stupid as ****. Why the hell can't the system itself do it? Every other online videogame system to ever exist, including ones by Nintendo, do it themselves.
Likely because they're trying to get the system itself to handle as little as possible.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Khushrenada on January 13, 2017, 05:13:25 PM
No chat - less lag kind of thing maybe.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Khushrenada on January 13, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
The sad thing is, I could actually envision free online being a selling point against the XBONE and PS4, especially when considering the Switch as a secondary console to them. It would be one less thing owners of those systems would have to pay for if they wanted Switch games.
Yeah, with the hype the Switch had going into event and the amount of people excited about its potential, I thought Nintendo sticking with their free online might be another to tip more people into purchasing the system. It was free with the Wii but there weren't a lot of games that took advantage of it and Nintendo was still going through growing pains of getting online experiences to work smoothly. With the 3DS and the Wii U, I've thought their online has been very good the few (and I admit its very few) times I've used it. However, with most of the gaming public shunning the Wii U, I don't think many have experienced or are aware that Nintendo's online has improved from the Wii. That is why I was hoping that if Switch can get even half of the Wii's sales then more people experiencing and using that free online might make it more appealing and cause players to switch over to the Nintendo console for more online gaming which could possibly lead to better sales of third party FPS type games on a Nintendo console. So much for that optimism.
Unless Nintendo has some really big plans for their online that they are waiting to reveal, I think this just solidifies the competition's hold on to the "hardcore" online multiplayer consumer.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: pokepal148 on January 13, 2017, 05:43:38 PM
Don't forget as far as we know pokemon bank is still sold separately
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: TheSevenYearSwitch on January 13, 2017, 05:48:28 PM
How do those free PS+ games hold up to SNES and NES games?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 13, 2017, 05:52:47 PM
Pretty well. Some are current-gen full retail titles.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Oedo on January 13, 2017, 06:43:47 PM
Pricing will dictate how well this is received. Free is obviously ideal. I think most people can live with $20 a year. Same as Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, get the **** out of here. Nintendo is starting at a deficit because its online infrastructure has never been great, and it won't have as much content as One and PS4. Considering the epic nickel and diming Nintendo is pulling with Switch peripherals, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Switch's online service exceeds the cost of Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus.
Pretty much. The service doesn't sound particularly robust, but I don't want to make any sweeping conclusions before we get the price. At $20 a year, I think this what they're offering is fine. However, given that most everything they've revealed the price on so far is higher than most people expected, the odds of it being $30 or more are higher than I'd like.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on January 14, 2017, 06:57:29 AM
The Shield Android TV supports voice chat (in the game that support it) and you can stream or record your gameplay at up to 1080p. Switch needs to have its store on the console, support voice chat, etc. It's mind-bigglinf that they went with 32GB storage again - unless somehow saves and DLC go on the cartridge.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on January 14, 2017, 12:26:35 PM
Saves likely will go on the cartridge. DLC might be a whole other issue, unfortunately. Maybe devs can leave enough space for Day 1 patches, but who knows about DLC. That's a lot harder to plan out.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stratos on January 14, 2017, 12:31:42 PM
How do those free PS+ games hold up to SNES and NES games?
I am intrigued at the possibility of added multiplayer/online for these older games. Might even lead to some fun new content. I'm not opposed to loosing access after a while. But Nintendo should give you an offer to buy it at a fair discount during the month. Something like 25% off.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 14, 2017, 12:35:01 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but SDXC cards up to about 256GB are relatively cheap, no?
I used a 320 GB hard drive on my Wii U and barely filled it, and I had 12 retail games and a slew of eShop stuff on it.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Ian Sane on January 14, 2017, 03:07:34 PM
Another thing to think about is how many people will pay for multiple online gaming subscriptions? Like maybe you'll own the PS4 and Switch but are you going to want to pay for online for both or just one? The PS4 already has a large online community. If you're into online gaming odds are your friends already have a PS4 so if you have to pick one online fee, that's the one you'll pick. Since Nintendo is essentially joining this generation late they're going to obviously have the smallest online community at first and with PS4 or XB1 owners a Switch purchase would be a second currently supported platform. Free online would give Nintendo a chance to build the online community. Instead I figure Switch-only owners will be the only ones to pay for online and those numbers will be small at first which will just discourage people from paying for it. It would make sense to have a free generation to build up the base and then ask that base to switch to a pay model in the next generation.
In fact this and the $300 price tag make this a very expensive option as a second console, which is what the Wii excelled at and the Wii U was incapable of becoming because of the price. You're going to need to spent some serious money to own another console and a Switch and even more to take both of those online.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: ejamer on January 14, 2017, 03:49:43 PM
I feel like this online subscription fee is just a reaction to Splatoon's success. Nintendo feels like they can make some extra coin, and so they are going for it. I don't blame them, but online play for a Nintendo console isn't worth bupkis to me.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Adrock on January 14, 2017, 05:24:51 PM
Nintendo obviously wants to make money. However, if making money was ever the impetus for online services, it would have charged a subscription fee all the way back on DS. I think Nintendo viewed online as a simple feature so it offered it for free. Then, the realization set in that having online and doing it well were entirely different things. Servers and maintenance cost money. The no frills connectivity for online matches that Nintendo has offered for over a decade probably wasn't setting the company back a ton. Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-secret-developers-wii-u-the-inside-story) ran an article a few years ago wherein a developer stated:
Quote
At some point in this conversation we were informed that it was no good referencing Live and PSN as nobody in [Nintendo's] development teams used those systems (!) so could we provide more detailed explanations for them? My only thought after this call was that they were struggling - badly - with the networking side as it was far more complicated than they anticipated. They were trying to play catch-up with the rival systems, but without the years of experience to back it up.
I'd imagine once Nintendo finally researched this and decided to expand its online features, it realized it couldn't realistically offer a robust online service without charging.
I've played very few games online on my own hardware. Mop it up and I played Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D for a couple weeks a few years ago, and that was the most I played a single game online ever. Regardless of Switch's subscription fee, I can probably pass. I doubt I'd use it enough to justify it.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: NWR_insanolord on January 14, 2017, 05:50:11 PM
I don't think it's a coincidence that Nintendo's starting to charge for online with their first hardware launch after Sony started charging for it. They were the only ones not charging for online the last few years, and I'm guessing they saw that as leaving money on the table.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: ShyGuy on January 14, 2017, 07:19:57 PM
Having your smart phone as an option for online is great idea, but it shouldn't be the only option.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: KeyBilly on January 14, 2017, 09:28:17 PM
Having your smart phone as an option for online is great idea, but it shouldn't be the only option.
Yeah, I haven't heard a good reason to do that. Reggie justified it by saying that it would keep us from wearing bulky gamer headsets when on the go. Apart from the obvious fact that a standard phone headset should work on the Switch, I wonder how many people will be playing the Switch online when they are on a train or whatever. It would need to be tethered to the phone, and people will need data plans that allow significant amounts of tethered data. That is very expensive, unless data plans exclude Switch data from counting. I could see T-Mobile doing that as a promotion. At least keeping chat on the phone will save a little tethered data.
My guess is that Nintendo just doesn't know how to do online internally. DeNA may have been asked for help with an app that Switch software developers can access with a simple API. The thing I like about it is that it could also work with their games on Android and iOS. Pretty much everything else about it is worse than just having it handled locally.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on January 14, 2017, 10:21:03 PM
I've never played my 3DS online while commuting. It just doesn't seem like a good idea. Maybe if you're on a long flight and pay for the wi-fi?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 14, 2017, 10:35:25 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but SDXC cards up to about 256GB are relatively cheap, no?
I used a 320 GB hard drive on my Wii U and barely filled it, and I had 12 retail games and a slew of eShop stuff on it.
256GB microSD cards aren't cheap 200GB mircoSD cards can be though
but theoretically SDXC cards can grow up to 2TB in size, but I doubt we'd be affording those w/in the Switch's active lifetime.
another reason why I was hoping for dual SD card slots. edit: http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-confirms-switch-actually-supports-sdxc-memory-cards-up-to-2tb/
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Shaymin on January 15, 2017, 12:58:38 AM
I don't think it's a coincidence that Nintendo's starting to charge for online with their first hardware launch after Sony started charging for it. They were the only ones not charging for online the last few years, and I'm guessing they saw that as leaving money on the table.
Thanks to PS+, PlayStation Network made more money last year than Nintendo. And this is BEFORE the price increase.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: ShyGuy on January 15, 2017, 01:00:01 AM
I don't think it's a coincidence that Nintendo's starting to charge for online with their first hardware launch after Sony started charging for it. They were the only ones not charging for online the last few years, and I'm guessing they saw that as leaving money on the table.
Isanolord, are you going all digital again? You did that with the WiiU, right?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: NWR_insanolord on January 15, 2017, 01:23:06 AM
I don't think it's a coincidence that Nintendo's starting to charge for online with their first hardware launch after Sony started charging for it. They were the only ones not charging for online the last few years, and I'm guessing they saw that as leaving money on the table.
Isanolord, are you going all digital again? You did that with the WiiU, right?
I intend to, though we'll see how quickly storage becomes an issue. I bought a 200 GB microSD when Newegg had them on sale for $50 last month expressly for this purpose, so I should be good for at least a little while. Zelda being only about 13 GB makes me feel somewhat better about those prospects.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stogi on January 15, 2017, 02:23:06 PM
Online looks awful. I never thought Nintendo were straight-up greedy until now. An online subscription that doesn't provide VC games at no extra cost is a huge middle finger to fans. This is the third generation of the VC program and you expect people who have been with you all the way to pay for the very same games again AFTER paying for a subscription? This is a dick move and I really hope none of you subscribe until Nintendo changes their ways. Just like how Xenoblade was going to be a Japanese exclusive and is now one of their biggest games worldwide, we need to band together and bitch like we've never bitched before.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stogi on January 15, 2017, 02:25:18 PM
It's either that or I'll wait for the eventual hack that allows me to play all the games for free.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Ian Sane on January 15, 2017, 04:07:34 PM
I've never had a console that requires me to pay for online before so I'm pretty ignorant on this. The subscription just covers online play, right? You don't need to pay to access the online store and download patches, do you?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: KeyBilly on January 15, 2017, 04:12:59 PM
Correct, Ian. The store is accessible without a paid account.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on January 16, 2017, 10:12:56 PM
256GB micro SD cards are very expensive. That price will probably drop by 50% in a year though. However, 256GB is not a lot of space. 256GB full SD cards are much cheaper, but still rather expensive.
Side note - even with a full size SD card, its mind-blowing that you can store 256GB of data on one (512GB on full size).
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Kairon on January 17, 2017, 12:47:11 AM
Don't people remember when Microsoft was charging $110 for a 500 GB XBox 360 HDD drive? If so called "Hardcore" gamers put up with that pricing then, I'm frankly not that concerned with SD prices falling at the rate they're falling. The bigger question is how soon MicroSD cards at those capacities take the next jump to 512 GB.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Soren on January 17, 2017, 09:49:23 AM
And we will look to make sure that in the end, we’ve got this robust, online environment that not only works well for our games, like Splatoon and Mario Kart and Smash Bros., but that also works great for our third party developers.
Oh hey the only 3 games Nintendo fans play online. I'm totally reassured by Nintendo's new paid online strategy now. Thanks Reggie!
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 19, 2017, 03:18:18 AM
I may have missed it, but I didn't see anyone mention the voice chat.
apparently being handled via smartphone app? included w/ subscription? https://www.wired.com/2017/01/reggie-fils-aime-nintendo-interview/
Quote from: Reggis Fils-Aime
The bigger vision is that we are going to provide an overall online service, subscription-based, that not only will capture the multiplayer opportunity, but also the voice chat capability that we’re going to provide through a global app. We think that that’s just as important as access to Virtual Console content.
The reason for that is, it continues to reinforce our commitment to online, and do so in a way that will enable the consumer to enjoy their Nintendo Switch and to still be able to play those connected experiences—like Splatoon, like Kart, like fill in the blank—while they’re on the go. Instead of having some sort of bulky gamer headset, you’ll be able to do it right off your smartphone, put in your earbuds that you use for your standard mobile device. We think that’s a pretty sweet solution. That’s part of the overall opportunity that we see in a subscription service.
if that means I can purchase my online sub w/ Google Rewards, then great. But if this means they only release it for Apple, and then Android to follow at some future undisclosed date, then why bother.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Soren on January 19, 2017, 07:56:28 AM
My problem with the smartphone app route is that it becomes impossible to output party chat and game audio to the same headset. And I'm the kind of person who needs to hear everything from the same source. This is classic Nintendo creating a solution for a problem no one had.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on January 19, 2017, 10:47:45 AM
It just seems like Nintendo couldn't get party chat to work on the console across titles, so they went with this route. I'm really not sure what the benefits are to this.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stogi on January 19, 2017, 10:56:59 AM
The benefits to this are that you can voice chat when you don't have a wifi connection. But that means you're also (probably) not playing online.
It's pretty dumb.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 19, 2017, 11:13:06 AM
In my fantasy scenario, the separate app thing could be a great way to integrate these features, IF you could tether your Switch to your Phone's internet for "play anywhere" online. It falls apart if you live in the US or anywhere that cell providers would ruin your data cap.
Either way, here in the real world, it's inelegant and makes me think they just couldn't figure out how to have it integrated into the console itself.
My personal use case for switch online? Most of my real world friends play PS4 or PC, and won't have a Switch, so i'd be paying a monthly subscription for random matchmaking for Splatoon/Mariokart/Smash Bros, and the 1 Virtual Console Rental period/month. Hard to swallow unless it's half the cost of Sony/Microsoft's services.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on January 19, 2017, 11:28:50 AM
Either way, here in the real world, it's inelegant and makes me think they just couldn't figure out how to have it integrated into the console itself.
Yep. On the bright side, they do have a free period to convince us if they have actually created a good online system with enough content to pay for. The main people paying for it might be hardcore Splatoon players.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stogi on January 26, 2017, 12:12:45 AM
I know we've all said it, but seriously. They'd sell Switches faster than brazilian tit jobs if they set up a Netflix-like service. $15-20/month for unlimited access to games that are retroactively fit to play online/LAN and Switches sell more than the PS4 and XBONE combined.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Spak-Spang on January 26, 2017, 04:17:50 AM
Stogi: Nintendo may not want to offer such a big price for such a small price. how about 1 Console $10.00 your choice and then have an every console available option for $49.99 a month. Including NES, SNES, Gamecube, Nintendo 64, Genesis, and such.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: lolmonade on January 26, 2017, 09:04:09 AM
I know we've all said it, but seriously. They'd sell Switches faster than brazilian tit jobs if they set up a Netflix-like service. $15-20/month for unlimited access to games that are retroactively fit to play online/LAN and Switches sell more than the PS4 and XBONE combined.
Anecdotally, I would never buy-into such a system for more than $5/month, and even then I'd be struggling to justify it. I've come to appreciate PS+'s method of having 3-5 free games for that month. It puts a spotlight on games I may have not considered or had interest in and didn't get around to yet. If Nintendo did a buffet-style sub service, I have 0 confidence the prices would be reasonable, 0 confidence Nintendo would continue adding games to make it a compelling service, and know I personally would end up defaulting back to the games I know I like rather than trying out new things.
This all comes with an assumption that Nintendo's going to open the floodgates of Virtual Console for Switch, which past has indicated they're plenty happy to have it be a trickle so each game "gets its time".
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on January 26, 2017, 10:51:20 AM
With the lack of analog triggers on the JoyCon, I unfortunately don't see GCN games coming to VC. What I would be interested in seeing is financial information regarding the "slow trickle" method- does it really net them sizable enough profits?
VC has been around for a while, and people are going to want to transfer up digital purchases- seeing that digital transfers are the last bastion of backwards compatibility in the video game industry, Nintendo has to play it right in order to get people to even continue investing in the service. Here's what I recommend- if Nintendo continued their slow trickle bullshit and have their also bullshit "mandatory upgrade price" like with Wii U, their online subscription service should allow users to waive that fee if attempting to update a previously owned VC game. In theory, it sounds nice, but I don't know how they would stop people from just subscribing for one month and updating all their old purchases- but on the other hand, it's 99 cents an Upgrade on Wii U (and 2 bucks for N64, I think?) so if the service was around 15 dollars WHICH IT SHOULD BE, YOU GREEDY ASSHATS, people would essentially be waiving the price for around 7-15 VC games. If you factor in the idea that people will likely continue to re-up month after month to play online games, it sort of evens out.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on January 26, 2017, 11:12:54 AM
I know we've all said it, but seriously. They'd sell Switches faster than brazilian tit jobs if they set up a Netflix-like service. $15-20/month for unlimited access to games that are retroactively fit to play online/LAN and Switches sell more than the PS4 and XBONE combined.
This seems to presume that Nintendo has the SNES/NES games with the online upgrades already set to go. I feel like Nintendo probably has like 6 ready and is making more as they go.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Stratos on January 26, 2017, 11:26:56 AM
With the lack of analog triggers on the JoyCon, I unfortunately don't see GCN games coming to VC.
Remember the images of Gamecube joycons? They could release those to allow you to play advanced VC games.
HELL NO!
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: KeyBilly on January 26, 2017, 02:22:17 PM
It would only be acceptable if they include a 3DS cartridge slot.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: pokepal148 on January 26, 2017, 05:25:35 PM
We both know they're gonna do another GameCube adapter at some point so they'll probably just use that for GC VC
but why not both?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on February 01, 2017, 02:19:18 PM
BATON DOWN THE HATCHES, LADS, WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A PRICE "CONFIRMATION": http://nintendoeverything.com/kimishima-says-switch-online-service-will-be-2-3000-yen-yearly-looking-into-vr-for-switch/
So that's 2-3000 yen a year, which for us North American folks is anywhere between $17.50 to $26.50. How does this color your opinion of the service? Will you consider using it? Will you burn down Nintendo of America's headquarters? Will you sacrifice the blood of the innocents?
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: nickmitch on February 01, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
That's pretty reasonable. If they keep it to $20/year then I wouldn't have too much of a problem with paying it.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Kairon on February 01, 2017, 02:55:35 PM
To be safe, I'm treating this as a suggestion that we'll be seeing a $30 price.
In fact, if you simply compare price ratios of the services in Japan, then this suggests a $40 USD price annually since I think Playstation Plus is much cheaper in Japan compared to the US.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Evan_B on February 01, 2017, 03:03:44 PM
Shhhh let us bask in the warm glow of potentially low online services while we don't have confirmation otherwise.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Mop it up on February 01, 2017, 03:05:07 PM
Yeah, it's probably gonna be higher in the US. I'd still rather have a free option with less features.
Title: Re: Let's talk about Nintendo Switch's online service...
Post by: Oedo on February 05, 2017, 05:43:01 PM
On one hand, I do agree that the safe bet (so far) has usually been on Switch-related products being priced higher than expected. However, one thing to keep in mind about the Sony comparison is that they're the dominant platform in the west and not nearly as strong in Japan. They might feel like they have to price their online service that low in Japan to make their platforms more attractive, while they can get away with pricing it higher in North America because they're a the dominant platform this market. Nintendo doesn't have that luxury. Unless Nintendo has held back on some announcements that significantly increase the value proposition of their online service, I can't see them being successful at anything more than $30.
