Nintendo kicked off its top-secret playtest last night for the new Switch Online: Playtest Program which opened signups last week and filled up all the slots within minutes. It took the same amount of time for the playtest to leak online as it did to reach maximum capacity. Only 10,000 users were granted access to the test and here’s what it is all about.
The test lets users download a 2.2GB file. There was no NDA they agreed to but the terms and conditions did ask users to refrain from sharing details regarding the project. As a result, Nintendo has begun taking down content with copyright strikes. However, content around the project is still available.
Spoilers ahead!
The leaks reveal that this Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program is related to a new MMO game being developed by Nintendo. The playtest says that players will “work with others to fully ‘develop’ a massive, expansive planet by utilizing creativity and framed resources”. While doing so, players will encounter “new lands, enemies and resources” as they progress and utilise “Beacons” that create new zones to develop the environment around where they are placed.
These Beacons act as personal spaces where players can lift, move and edit items to customise them to their liking. Players cannot edit other player’s Beacons.
There’s also a “Dev Core” where players can walk around, level up, unlock new items and interact with other players in the same area. Nintendo has developed User-Generated Content features for creating and sharing custom content. However, players have to pass an in-game test to show they understand the importance of respectful communication. Once passed, they are then granted access to online communications.
Essentially, this Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program looks to be a family-friendly MMO similar to Roblox. At the moment it is too early to tell if this project will expand to include existing Nintendo IPs or whether it is a standalone game. The leaked screenshots look quite dumbed-down and in fact, shallow. Sort of like the online core experience is there but the shell of the game is missing. Perhaps Nintendo is testing out the online placeholder for a larger, prettier game.
You can view some screenshots of the project here alongside what seems like an official FAQ. There’s nothing much to look at but the game’s overall core is explained.