Key conclusions
- Nintendo Switch Online Playtest leaks reveal that Nintendo is developing an MMO game.
- The Playtest program will be open to 10,000 Expansion Pass subscribers from October 23rd to November 5th.
- The MMO game reportedly focuses on teamwork and customization as players shape the environment of a massive planet.
Despite requests for secrecy from Nintendo, it seems Nintendo Switch Online users are beginning to reveal details regarding the upcoming Playtest program, suggesting that the mysterious Big N project may be some sort of MMO game. Earlier this month, fans were excited when Nintendo announced that it would be testing a new feature for its Nintendo Switch Online service, and if these leaks are to be believed, this could be the first real stab at online multiplayer.
The Nintendo Switch Online Playtest program will run from October 23rd to November 5th, and approximately 10,000 Expansion Pass subscribers will be able to participate. Beyond those specifics, Nintendo didn't reveal exactly what will be tested, only describing it as a “new feature.” This lack of information didn't stop gamers from getting excited, and could very well be the reason why all slots in the Playtest program were filled in less than a minute. In preparation for the test, Nintendo reportedly asked participants to refrain from sharing any information about the feature being tested. However, as you might expect, this request has been largely ignored, and screenshots and other details of the playtest have started leaking onto social media faster than Nintendo can remove them.
Relatives
Nintendo teases an exciting 2025 for Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers
Nintendo predicts that those who subscribe to the Expansion Pack level of the Switch Online service are in for an exciting year.
According to reports from sources like The Verge and Kotaku, these leaks indicate that Nintendo is working on an MMO game where the main goal is for players to work together to “fully 'develop' a massive, expansive planet.” They do this by laying down “beacons” that create zones and further develop the environment, with the overall goal being to cover a spherical grid representing the planet with beacons. In addition to these Beacon areas, players can also head to a social hub known as the “Dev Core” to level up their characters, purchase items, and interact with other players, something they'll likely be able to test to some extent during the online test. the Nintendo Switch app.
Switch Online Playtest leaks point to Nintendo's first MMO
Customization seems to be a key aspect of this Nintendo Switch MMO, as players will be able to customize their beacons to some extent, although they won't be able to do the same in other players' zones. Nintendo also describes features for sharing user content, though players must pass an in-game test to show they “understand the importance of respectful communication” before they can access those features.
From the looks of it, Nintendo's MMO could be something of a massively multiplayer mash-up Minecraft and Robloxwith potentially thousands of players collectively shaping the in-game world and sharing user content with each other. A title like this will certainly stand out from the company's usual selection of games, so it will be interesting to see how things develop outside of the Playtest program.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console released in 2017 that can be played handheld or connected to a TV. The portable-only Switch Lite model arrived in 2019, with an OLED update in 2021.
