More Serious Online Envirionment
Nintendo has always struggled with delivering a strong online platform, yet it seems that they are finally taking this common feature seriously. While they didn’t go heavily into detail on their Switch Online Service during their conference, a post went live offering a general overview of what they are planning to offer. This includes party features and general voice chat, a huge step considering the Wii U only allowed players to talk in lobbies prior to actual matches.
We do need to address the fact that their online service will become pay focused in the fall, and that its free NES/SNES titles offered each month are going to be available only for that month. Even before pricing details are released, there’s little doubting that Nintendo is beginning to conform to the traditional online platforms the other major companies have embraced. There’s still a fair amount of information still in the dark, but Nintendo’s focus on allowing more connectivity across the world is what they desperately needed. Titles such as Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. all have strong followings, and Nintendo needs to encourage a stronger multiplayer environment.
