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Nintendo Switch Online, a Paid Subscription Service Required For Console Owners To Access Internet-Enable Features Like Multiplayer Mode, To Launch This Evening (variety.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

Nintendo announced Tuesday that its paid Nintendo Switch Online service will launch "later this evening," and that to prepare for the launch it will be taking the Switch eShop offline starting at 8 p.m. ET. From a report: It's expected to be unavailable for up to three hours, it said, putting the launch of Switch Online about 11 p.m. Tuesday night. Nintendo Switch Online comes with a seven-day free trial for all Nintendo Account holders. The official website for the service notes that it will cost $4 for a month, $8 for three months and $20 for a year. A family membership, which supports up to seven others in a family group, will run for $35 for a year. The Nintendo Switch Online service, which will be free to users to try for seven days, will be required for console owners to access any internet-enable features, including multiplayer and cloud saves. It will also grant them the ability to play 20 different Nintendo Entertainment System games at launch, although Nintendo hasn't revealed the entire lineup yet.

86 comments

  1. Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Deliberately locking yourself into a single manufacturer, who you know will do this shit, is insane.

    1. Re: Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, because linux/andoid uses a "subscription" aka "ransomware" extortion business model like Micro$hit and Factory Suicide Corp (Apple)

    2. Re: Consoles are stupid by tepples · · Score: 2

      How is [console lock-in] different from being locked into windows?

      Consider two differences between a PC running Windows and an Xbox One running the Windows 10-derived Xbox One system software:

      PC users are not locked into Windows Most PCs can have a second operating system installed, except for those whose hardware has missing or broken drivers for anything but Windows. (One example is the ASUS Transformer Book T100TA.) The phenomenon of Restricted Boot, where an x86-64 PC's owner cannot disable UEFI Secure Boot or reconfigure its keys, was banned in the Windows 8 era and rejected by the market in the Windows 10 era. Windows users are not locked into Microsoft Store Windows users can install other stores (such as GOG, Humble, Steam, or Origin), download stand-alone executable installers, or build applications from source code. Microsoft's attempt to extend the Windows brand to more locked-down devices (those running Windows Phone 7, 8, and 10, Windows RT, and Windows 10 S) largely failed in the market.

      In exchange for this lock-in, consoles offer alleged ease of use.

    3. Re: Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not sure talking about Linux is a winning strategy when the topic is about playing videogames.

    4. Re: Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's probably why people are wondering why the retarded OP even mentioned Linux. It's most likely a microsoft shill who decided to retardedly lump Linux into the ransomware discussion.

    5. Re: Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      PC users are not locked into Windows

      Sweet! So where can I buy a copy of FFXV that will run on a PC not running Windows? Wait, you mean I can't? Such a version does not exist? Well then I am locked into Windows.

      Windows users are not locked into Microsoft Store

      But the games that I bought from those non-Microsoft stores are.

      Honestly, you really need to think before you speak. Yes PC users might be capable of installing a non-Microsoft OS on their PC, so in a broad, general sense they are not locked-in. But this discussion is about very specific use cases. "I am locked in because I want to play games $x, $y, and $z" vs "I just want to play games, I don't care which, they're all identical right?".

    6. Re: Consoles are stupid by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Do you have to pay a fee to Microsoft in order to find patches for your games?

    7. Re: Consoles are stupid by tepples · · Score: 1

      So where can I buy a copy of FFXV that will run on a PC not running Windows?

      Though I concede that this is not practical for all or perhaps even most, you could improve Wine to be able to run it, or hire someone to improve Wine to be able to run it. Valve is offering a customized version of Wine for select games on Steam, though I don't know whether Final Fantasy XV is or will soon be among them.

      But this discussion is about very specific use cases. "I am locked in because I want to play games $x, $y, and $z"

      If you want to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate once it is released, you are locked into Nintendo Switch. Is it common for someone to buy a console just to run one game?

    8. Re: Consoles are stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I bought a PlayStation 2 just for the Katamari games (before there was an Xbox 360 release) and I never bought any other game for it since, does that count?

    9. Re: Consoles are stupid by tepples · · Score: 1

      Anecdotal evidence proves that something exists, but not that it is common.

  2. Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is to help determine which switches have been illegally hacked.

    It also now allows Nintendo to tie a switch to a real credit card, and gain valuable data about who is using it.

    this is where everything is going, to the cloud, tied to something that can identify you.

    1. Re:Hacked Switches by Calydor · · Score: 1

      Not to mention holding your save games at ransom. "Oh, you've got a 99% complete save file? Would be a shame if you stopped paying for a couple of months and something ... happened to it."

      --
      -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
    2. Re:Hacked Switches by skam240 · · Score: 1

      Maybe you missed the part where this is an optional service. You can still save locally.

      --
      I ignore Anonymous Coward posts. If you want to discuss something, that's awesome. Log in.
    3. Re:Hacked Switches by sanf780 · · Score: 1

      Local saves are not removed. Now, having either 6 months or 0 months of data retention is just a company switch anyway.

    4. Re:Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While you're right about that, you CAN'T BACKUP LOCALLY.
      Which means you either pay up and keep paying or all of your pokeymans, marios, lugis and villagers go bye bye when your Switch breaks.
      Would suck to lose a 500 hour Splatoon 2 file, wouldn't it?

    5. Re:Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can still save locally.

      Yes, but the only way to transfer a game save from one switch to another is via this paid service.

    6. Re:Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Haha, but now the fuckers can't force system upgrades to us, who are not willing to pay and subscribe for their services. On Playstation every time one opens a console, Sony force pushes a upgrade. And not a single one of the update has brought in anything useful, as they have only removed features or randomized the location of UI controls.

    7. Re:Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "illegally hacked"? I can only assume you're talking about people who are playing pirated games or use homebrew on their Switch. First, it's not illegal to modify your Switch. Second, how the fuck does a paid subscription help Nintendo in this way? The custom firmwares out there already block that telemetry data that would be sent to Nintendo so your argument makes absolutely no sense.

    8. Re:Hacked Switches by Chriscypher · · Score: 1

      Maybe you missed the part where this is an optional service. You can still save locally.

      Optional, as in it's optional to play Fortnite, which *requires* an internet connection?

      This is a Fortnite tax, which is unfortunate for my son as he now has no portable options from the Xbox One when we travel. Whatever happened to the good ole days of being able to own hardware without an ongoing subscription for the right to use it?

      --
      "You have liberated me from thought."
    9. Re:Hacked Switches by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

      I have heard that Fortnite is free (I'm guessing that Epic is paying the N for the servers so that kids don't have to).

    10. Re:Hacked Switches by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

      I'm willing to bet Epic makes more money off skins than they would if they received a portion of the Nintendo Online subscription proceeds.

    11. Re:Hacked Switches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Illegally hacked? Pretty sure it's not against the law to hack my own property. Before you know, people like this will be saying that I cannot break into my own apartment when I forget my keys.

      As for this online service. Couldn't say I really give a shit. Online gaming is toxic AF. Last thing I want to deal with are cheaters and 12 year olds. Multiplayer gaming is best on a PC anyways; where it's free and comes with the game. I already paid my ISP for internet access and I already paid for the game. I'm not paying for a network service to play online.

    12. Re:Hacked Switches by TheCastro1689 · · Score: 1

      Servers? Isn't it just like most games and only transmits location info to other people and uses one of them as the server?

    13. Re:Hacked Switches by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

      Nah, there's a dedicated server that Epic controls. The kids that are playing are clients of those servers. Normally MS & Sony (and now N) charge for the privilege of playing on their servers. From what I gather, Epic is paying those costs to keep kids playing.

      If they ever stop making money, whatever update they are about to release would then require Nintendo Online to play.

    14. Re:Hacked Switches by skam240 · · Score: 1

      "Optional, as in it's optional to play Fortnite, which *requires* an internet connection?"

      Well take that up with the developers of Fortnite, as in, not Nintendo.

      I do very much agree with your final point in a general sense but Nintendo has no role in what you're bothered about here.

      --
      I ignore Anonymous Coward posts. If you want to discuss something, that's awesome. Log in.
    15. Re:Hacked Switches by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Not to mention holding your save games at ransom. "Oh, you've got a 99% complete save file? Would be a shame if you stopped paying for a couple of months and something ... happened to it."

      Nothing will happen to it. It will still be right there on your Switch where you left it.

      You may not have a backup of it though, so I suggest not hitting your Switch with a sledge hammer while your subscription lapses.

  3. $35 a year by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 1

    Obviously they mean 7 different accounts, but using the same Switch, not 7 accounts on 7 different Switchs*, because otherwise that's one hell of a deal.

    * Switches? Switchs? Switchi?

    --
    Summation 2
    1. Re: $35 a year by Andy+Smith · · Score: 1

      No I believe 7 people with 7 different Switches can chip in $5 each and get a yearâ(TM)s service.

    2. Re:$35 a year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously they mean 7 different accounts, but using the same Switch, not 7 accounts on 7 different Switchs*, because otherwise that's one hell of a deal.

      * Switches? Switchs? Switchi?

      No, they actually do mean 7 accounts across as 7 different Switches. The family plan is the way to go if you have friends and/or family who also own a Switch.

      Also worthy of note: only one account on a Switch has to have a paid online subscription in order for all accounts on said Switch to access the online service.

    3. Re:$35 a year by lengel · · Score: 1

      No, they actually do mean 7 accounts across as 7 different Switches. The family plan is the way to go if you have friends and/or family who also own a Switch.

      Also worthy of note: only one account on a Switch has to have a paid online subscription in order for all accounts on said Switch to access the online service.

      I don't interpret their language the same as you do for the second part. Each online subscription is tied to a separate nnid. If each local switch account has a different nnid, you have to pay for each one. What reference do you have to assert your second statement?

    4. Re:$35 a year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      pitagora suichi tachi

    5. Re:$35 a year by TheCastro1689 · · Score: 1

      Nintendo's FAQ about Nintendo Switch Online says you can link multiple accounts to a family account and you can log into multiple switches.

    6. Re:$35 a year by lengel · · Score: 1

      Yes, I agree.

      That is not what the AC said.

    7. Re:$35 a year by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Obviously they mean 7 different accounts, but using the same Switch

      No. Nintendo's primary aim is to get multiple Switches into each household. We're close to buying a second one in ours since someone often takes it with them when travelling.

      We are actually going to try and stretch this relationship and see if their service is locked to country ala Amazon Prime Family, or if we can include our relatives in the $35 ... who live so far away that if you travel any further they'd start getting closer to us (despite what flat earthers will have you believe). Time will tell if we get instabanned for the attempt :)

  4. Hmmm ... could be a good thing ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Nintendo Switch Online service, which will be free to users to try for seven days, will be required for console owners to access any internet-enable features, including multiplayer and cloud saves.

    So, if I bought a Switch, and didn't pay for this .. .does that mean all of the internet-enabled shit in modern video games is something I don't need to care about?

    Multiplayer? Cloud saves? In-game chats? I don't want any of that shit. I want an offline game console like we used to have, because I only play occasionally, and don't use any of that crap.

    Though, that old-school Nintendo Classic or whatever it is sounds a lot more appealing to me since I remember those games from what most gamers now consider to be pre-history.

    No way I'd pay for a subscription service to have on-line play when what I specifically don't want is any form of on-line component of a game.

    For now, my ancient XBox 360 with no internet connection is just fine to play Skyrim on. I don't need an audience to play video games.

    1. Re:Hmmm ... could be a good thing ... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      I'm hoping that now they have internet functionality they release a new Mario Maker for Switch... But also hoping they don't because the Wii U version is pretty good but will die off if a new one comes out and the Switch is not cheap.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:Hmmm ... could be a good thing ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's definitely fun for us for the local games.

      I am not planning to get the online service because I never use the free version we've had till now. I've had the switch for almost a year and only played online on about 3 days. It seemed weird to play with random strangers that couldn't talk to each other. I've heard people use "discord" to talk, but no real urge to try it.

      What I got my switch for was mainly local multiplayer parties, so I also bought extra controllers. We typically do 4 player games. Some are on the same screen and others split screen.

      I read that the online service also unlocks the ability to download some classic games they will slowly add to the library over time, and new subscriptions get a pair of classic NES style controllers to play them. They say you'll be able to play the games offline (the switch is made for portable gaming like on the train and all). IDK if they will require "phone home" or what though because that feature hasn't really piqued my interest to delve into the details.

  5. Poster should be canned for headline alone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Longest headline in Slashdot history?

  6. " Nintendo hasn't revealed the entire lineup yet." by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wut?

    https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/nes/

    I count 20:

            Soccer
            Tennis
            Donkey Kong
            Mario Bros.
            Super Mario Bros.
            Balloon Fight
            Ice Climber
            Dr. Mario
            The Legend of Zelda
            Super Mario Bros. 3
            Double Dragon
            River City Ransom
            Ghosts'n Goblins
            Tecmo Bowl
            Gradius
            Pro Wrestling
            Excitebike
            Yoshi
            Ice Hockey
            Baseball

  7. Behind mobile by Parker+Lewis · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Videogame consoles are lagging behind Android devices regarding accounting. When you get a new Android device, using the same account, you can restore your settings (screen, wallpaper, previously connected networks, etc), and optionally, you can restore installed apps. Not to mention that most game saves are stored in G+ account, so they'll be restored too. Aside the problem downloaded content size (anyway, optionall to download again), I cannot see why Sony/MS/Nintendo are not implementing this, giving the previous generation (X360, PS3) hardware problems. Of course, I believe some restrictions should be applied (maybe only 1 console can use the same account at the same time, or something like that).

    1. Re:Behind mobile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You clearly do not own a Xbox One, because everything you just mentioned works just that way on it.

    2. Re:Behind mobile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nintendo accounts are more like the library than traditional online accounts. When you 'check out' a title, Nintendo looks into your account, gets the order number, and does a little encryption with your Nintendo ID and device Nintendo ID, and your game is downloaded. The games are custom encrypted for each device. When you are 'done' with the online game, you return it, and the N credits your account with the return. If - for whatever reason - you've messed up and manually deleted your game off of your SD card, your SD is lost, your console is stolen or your dog eats it - too bad. You didn't return the copy, so you cannot re-download it. No exceptions.

      It's also impossible to transfer your N ID from one console to another without N being involved in the process. It deletes the items on one console before transferring them to the other. Something goes wrong (wireless issues, dead battery, sd card issues) - oops, too bad, your games are deleted. Kindly repurchase them from the eShop!

      TL;DR Purchasing games from Nintendo is effectively a long-term rental explicitly tied to specific console. For what you actually get, they charge way too much.

    3. Re:Behind mobile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If - for whatever reason - you've messed up and manually deleted your game off of your SD card, your SD is lost, your console is stolen or your dog eats it - too bad. You didn't return the copy, so you cannot re-download it. No exceptions.

      You really didn't need to throw in lies, the true parts of what you said are damning enough.

  8. Emperor's New Toad by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Since we're talking about Nintendo and video games, and this is a site for nerds, I guess it's technically not off-topic to mention that for some reason, the character Toad from Mario Kart is trending on social media. I'm not sure why. Anybody want to google it and find out?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
    1. Re:Emperor's New Toad by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

      "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" was recently (2-3 months ago) released on Switch and 3DS.
      It's a 3D puzzle based game. IIRC, the Switch version has some Mario Odyssey inspired levels.

    2. Re:Emperor's New Toad by lengel · · Score: 1

      I don't know if you are being serious or not......

      The Stormy Daniels book is the reason.

    3. Re:Emperor's New Toad by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      The Stormy Daniels book is the reason.

      So, Toad is trending because Ms Daniels likes to play Mario Kart? Nothing else to it?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    4. Re:Emperor's New Toad by lengel · · Score: 1

      The Stormy Daniels book is the reason.

      So, Toad is trending because Ms Daniels likes to play Mario Kart? Nothing else to it?

      She says Trump's penis looks like "that mushroom guy from Mario Kart" Skinny with a large head.

    5. Re: Emperor's New Toad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stormy's toadstool. He's a real dick that goes quick!

  9. Subscriptions make me quit by omfglearntoplay · · Score: 1

    I quit street fighter because it turned into a monthly fee on my Playstation. I will quit other games that turn into a monthly fee. Recurring fees are just too annoying.

    1. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by PincushionMan · · Score: 2

      While I am mostly against fees for Online play in general, I do understand that the infrastructure (servers, what-not) has to be maintained somehow. MS charges $120/year for Gold and the PS4 Online charges are similar. The N is charging 1/3 that for up to 8 accounts ($35/yr). Gold gives[1] you (theoretically) 1 AAA game for the One and 1 AAA[2] for the 360. The N gives you 20 NES games (that re-authorize monthly) and online save storage.

      [1] The XB1 games are only licensed. Once you drop your gold, they will no longer play - "This title is no longer licensed for your system" - or some such. The 360 games are yours to keep, but as with the XB1 titles, none of the online features will work.

      [2] Xbox AAA includes ports of titles from other consoles, like Sega's "Wonder Boy in Monster Land" (Sega Master System, 1988) port for this month. A 30 year old game.

    2. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      login/save servers should be 'part of the cost of doing business' and paid by the console price and by digital game sales from nintendo's online platform.

      this is a cash grab, pure and simple, because free-to-play titles (which are popular) can potentially generate zero direct revenue from a player to nintendo. it has absolutely nothing do do with the 'cost' of the infrastructure... the infrastructure has been there since the console's launch.

    3. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by jonesy16 · · Score: 1

      MS charges $60/yr for Gold, not $120. Most of the time you can find discounted codes that are closer to $45 / yr. You get 4 games / month with Gold (2 for 360, 2 for Xbox One), but I agree that usually they aren't the best or newest games (but neither are 30-year old Nintendo games).

    4. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

      I really didn't know that PS+ was half the price of Gold, and I forgot that the Gold games are 4/mo not 2/mo. Thank you for correcting me. Keep up the good work!

    5. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While I am mostly against fees for Online play in general, I do understand that the infrastructure (servers, what-not) has to be maintained somehow.

      If Nintendo wishes to charge fees for access to the Nintendo game servers, yes that choice should be up to them.
      However it should *not* be up to Nintendo to force that choice on other game publishers against their will as they are doing.

      Take Bethesda as an example. They maintain their own game servers, and they pay for those by means other than a monthly fee. This is their choice.
      Fallout 76 however will still require paying Nintendo for nothing more than the privileged to access Bethesda's game servers that Bethesda pays for in a way that we as players do not need to.

      On top of that, Nintendo isn't "giving" us the ability to pay for online games. They are *taking that away from us* which we already have, and reselling access for that privileged.

      Again, if they want to charge to run the Mario Kart servers, fine, that's up to them.
      If they want to offer 3rd party publishers access to this system to make payments easier for the players, that would be pretty awesome too.

      But they are not.

      They are keeping that money for themselves, not sharing it with 3rd parties, and forcing the 3rd parties into paying for their own infrastructure.
      The last part of that isn't in itself bad, only the way Nintendo is doing it.

      As you say, game servers require money to run. Take a non-Bethesda example, anyone else.
      Nintendo charges a monthly fee for you to even reach that 3rd party game server, and pockets the money.
      Now what, does the 3rd party publisher need to charge you a monthly fee separately and in addition to that? Otherwise they will get nothing, and as you say those servers need paid for somehow.

      Nintendo is forcing that option on them, on top of making the publishers look bad since Nintendo markets this "feature" as paying for online access, as if you were paying for game server access.
      Now when a 3rd party says they gotta pay for their server costs somehow, and you have to pay them yet another fee on top of the Nintendo fee, Nintendo just made it look like the publisher is double-dipping and being greedy, when in fact Nintendo is taking your money for what is in essence a firewall rule.

    6. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by Luthair · · Score: 1

      Except that the servers are not run by Microsoft/Sony, for games with many players publishers run them and for games with a small number of players often one user will end up as host (hence consoles wanting upnp to open ports).

      Your math is also way off on Sony & Microsoft - they charge $60.

    7. Re:Subscriptions make me quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kinda agree, especially since *every single company* wants to do some sort of subscription service now. It's like Netflix - a lot of movie companies (like Disney) are going to try and get their own streaming subscription services up, and eventually you will need to pay for multiple ones in order to view the shows you regularly watch. Cable seems better than doing that.

  10. A matter of time? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nintendo finally joints the rest of the greedy console-manufacturers in cucking their userbase by making them pay to use their product on the internet their customers already pay to use.

    How long until we have to pay separately for every device we use to access the internet?

    1. Re:A matter of time? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Comcast is working on that. That's why they rolled out IPv6 in some areas - each device gets an external IP. So they know precisely how many devices access the Internet in your home through Xfinity.

    2. Re: A matter of time? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yea they tried to send me a new modem to install. I told them to fuck off and sent it back.

  11. Can you even play games solo? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

    I've never had and never will have game consoles. Can you even play single-player games on this thing at all? Or are you forced to pay for their 'service' to use it at all? Or is it somewhere between the two: you can play single-player games, but they're so lame in single-player mode that it's too boring for people to stand?

    1. Re:Can you even play games solo? by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

      I've never had and never will have game consoles. Can you even play single-player games on this thing at all?

      You can, but there's no way to back up your saves. The only backup is to Nintendo's cloud, and not all games even support that. Nintendo has been criticized for only making games and systems for non-serious gamers before, but it was always only half-true at most. This time, it's completely true.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:Can you even play games solo? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      Much as I suspected. Glad I got all the video gaming out of my system in the 90's through early 2000's, it sound like an expensive shitshow now.

    3. Re:Can you even play games solo? by sremick · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I love my Switch, and you not only CAN play single-player games, but there is no shortage of amazing single-player experiences out there. These are pretty much the only sorts of games I play and enjoy. If you are assuming all console gaming now is online multi-player, you're sorely mistaken and grossly out of touch of the reality of the game market.

      One of the main reasons I'll be buying the online service is for the save game backups, honestly. However, I'm furious about the fact that the feature is left out of some games because the games have some online aspects. Splatoon 2 was originally on my "maybe" list but is now firmly banished because of no backup. I'm worried that Animal Crossing (which I genuinely love) will get the same treatment.

    4. Re:Can you even play games solo? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Much as I suspected. Glad I got all the video gaming out of my system in the 90's through early 2000's, it sound like an expensive shitshow now.

      IMO the best single-player console experience available to cheapskates (like me) today is from the Xbox 360. Lots of great games available cheap all over the place, and it's easy to plug your HDD into your PC with a USB cable and make backups, hack save files, etc.

      Full disclosure though, I sold all my console game stuff to a local shop that paid top dollar for everything (even a top-loading NES with a crack in it, but with the original rounded controllers) and I only play PC and mobile games now. Because I just got tired of dicking with consoles. I actually put my 360 away for over a year before selling it, and in that time that game shop opened, so I'm super glad I did that for a change.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Can you even play games solo? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's actually a very impressive collection of single player games for Switch that don't require any online subscription to fully enjoy. As the other guy mentioned, cloud saves are behind a paywall, but, TBH, I care much less about it than I thought I would. I would recommend a Switch just to play the growing collection of single player exclusives. I would also highly recommend a PS4 for the same -- and with that PS Plus online subscription, I've gotten some of the best games PS4 has to offer as part of my subscription ($4/mo).

    6. Re:Can you even play games solo? by tepples · · Score: 1

      Animal Crossing for Nintendo GameCube had the copy protect bit on its 57-block save file, even though it had no online aspects. It was presumably to limit duplication of rare items and circumvention of the Mr. Resetti flow. A file could be moved to another memory card, but not copied.

    7. Re:Can you even play games solo? by Golddess · · Score: 1

      I'm worried that Animal Crossing (which I genuinely love) will get the same treatment.

      I'm sure that it will. I kinda skipped City Folk so I don't know how it handled saves, but New Leaf (at least the digital release) you effectively could not back up your save. I mean, nothing stopped you from copying the file, and as long as you never ever opened New Leaf again it was fine. But the moment you did that backup became useless. I don't know how it worked exactly, I guess there was some system value that got compared, and if the value on the save file did not match it was considered corrupt. And after a successful comparison, the save would be updated with a new value before you even did anything.

      But that said, is that really any different from not being able to backup a save because it is on the cartridge?

      --
      "I'm not sure I like the fugnutish tone you used in your post!" -RogL (608926)-
    8. Re:Can you even play games solo? by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      It should have been either a free service to do backups, or include local backup media. The fact that the player base didn't go immediately into a rage when learning that there weren't local backups says plenty about the types of players using that device.

    9. Re:Can you even play games solo? by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Can you do a local save? If not, what sort of good single player games don't have a save game feature?

    10. Re:Can you even play games solo? by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Can you even play single-player games on this thing at all?

      Most games out there are single player. There's only a few true mutiplayer only games. And the lameness factor is highly dependent on the game in question.

  12. How do you get online during travel? by tepples · · Score: 1

    When you travel, how do you have an Internet connection on devices other than your smartphone in the first place? Do you pay the tethering surcharge that many cellular ISPs in the United States charge?

    Epic Games can choose to provide a Fortnite experience against bots or not. If Epic Games refuses, then play a game other than Fortnite. This might even be a non-electronic game in your son's waiting place bag.

    1. Re:How do you get online during travel? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I live in a pretty backwards country and there has never been any extra charge or restriction for tethering on any carrier. If you were to tell random people on the street that tethering is forbidden or surcharged in the USA pretty much nobody would believe you.

  13. How you say...INSTAFAIL? by Chas · · Score: 1

    Fuck them and their mandatory paid sub service.

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
    1. Re:How you say...INSTAFAIL? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So for DLC, can that be purchased separately, or is an active online subscription required before you even get the option to purchase the DLC in addition? Also, what about game patches. Are those not available anymore for non-paid accounts?

    2. Re:How you say...INSTAFAIL? by EvilSS · · Score: 1

      Yep, complete INSTAFAIL. Paid online completely destroyed Sony and Microsoft in the console market. Literally no one plays on their consoles anymore because of it.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    3. Re:How you say...INSTAFAIL? by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      They are instafailing by implimenting all their competitor's processes for a small fraction of the cost?

  14. Hacks and Mods inbound.... by WolfgangVL · · Score: 1

    Nintendo is notoriously bad at device security. Piracy is rampant, and the pirated content is downloaded directly from Nintendo servers. Now we're talking about paid services...... This will not end well.

    --
    You are being ripped off every second of every day, so that advertisers can help rip you off even more tomorrow.
  15. If you want to buy a new console every few years.. by Mike+Van+Pelt · · Score: 1

    If not ... you're going to find out that in a few years, they'll shut down access to the online service for your console. If you want to keep using an online service, you'll have to buy the newest whiz-bang. But it won't play the old games that you have enjoyed playing. (They did that to the Wii online games.)

  16. And I just bought it... by HeadSoft · · Score: 1

    Isn't it nice when they change policies like that? The Switch is essentially worthless to me now.

    1. Re:And I just bought it... by jrumney · · Score: 1

      My son bought a Nintendo Bait when it first came out. It was clear from the terms he had to agree to on first boot then that they were planning on pulling this Switch at some undisclosed time in the future.

  17. Re: " Nintendo hasn't revealed the entire lineup y by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    5 of those games are good. The rest are shit.

  18. And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you're still dead to me, piss_on_your_fan_base_Fucktendo.

  19. Waiting for a while by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I only play Mario Kart online, every so often, am working my way through Doom, and have Fortnite installed, but have only played it once or twice. Also Zelda and Odyssey. I don't have a compelling reason to sign up, and my only incentive is that I get to play Mario Kart online, and some old games that I'm not that bothered about. Putting off signing up makes more sense for me, and it's hard to imagine a day when this won't be true.