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Details about the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program have begun to leak. The company updated its official website and provided new information to participants about this closed test program. Playtest will start on October 23 at 04:00 (UTC) and end on November 5 at 03:00 and will be accessible by approximately 10 thousand people who have registered for the program.
The testing software is available for download before the game starts and requires 2.2GB of free space on users’ devices. Although participants did not sign any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), Nintendo requested that users not share these details within the testing terms and conditions. However, it seems that this request was not implemented as expected. As of now, although Nintendo has issued copyright notices to remove the leaked content, some screenshots and information can still be found on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.
This test appears to be Nintendo’s effort to develop its first major MMO (massively multiplayer online) style game. According to the game description, the goal of players is to collaborate to “develop” a huge planet using creativity and limited resources. As players progress, they will encounter new areas, enemies and resources, and they will be able to create personal areas to improve the environment thanks to the “Beacons” they place. These fields can only be edited by the player who placed the mark; changes cannot be made in fields marked by others.
There is also a separate social hub called the “Dev Core” where players can level up, collect items, and interact socially. Nintendo also plans to introduce UGC (User-Generated Content) features, where players can share content they create. However, these features will only become available if players pass an in-game test that shows they understand the importance of respectful communication.
New Nintendo Playtest isn’t about Switch Online
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At first glance, the game bears some similarities to family-friendly MMOs like Minecraft and Roblox. It is not yet clear whether the game is a completely new IP (intellectual property); Because it does not contain any known Nintendo characters, or this may be due to the fact that the game has not been officially introduced yet. However, contrary to previous speculations, it is now clear that this test is not aimed at bringing GameCube games to the Nintendo Switch Online service.