Nintendo's Whispering Sweet Nothings About a Mysterious Switch Online Playtest (Again)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Nintendo's up to something with Switch Online again, teasing another playtest with four times the capacity of last year's super-secret event, and they're *begging* people not to leak the deets (yeah, right). Also, they announced the Zelda movie cast, for better or worse.
Alright, listen up, because Nintendo's being all coy again. They're teasing another Switch Online playtest, kicking off later this month (July 28th, to be precise) and running 'til August 10th, according to Eurogamer. Remember that super-secret test from last October? Well, this is apparently the same service, just… bigger. Like, four times bigger.
Nintendo's keeping mum on the details, calling it all "related to a service" for Switch Online. But if you were part of the last shindig, you'll supposedly know what's what. (Lucky you!). They're opening applications soon - July 21st at 8:00 AM PT, to be exact, so set your alarms, mates! - and they're aiming for a whopping 40,000 participants worldwide. That's a lot of digital guinea pigs, isn't it? You'll need an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Nintendo Account registered in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico. So, if you're reading this from, say, Luxembourg, you're out of luck. Sorry, mate.
Now, here's the kicker: Nintendo is *actually* including Switch 2 users in this test. Makes you wonder what they could be testing. GameCube compatibility, perhaps? (Just putting that out there!) And, as always, they're pleading with participants to keep hush-hush about the test. "Please don't tell anyone what you see!" they cry. As if that's ever worked. Last time, the secrets leaked faster than a rusty bucket. (Let's be real, it's going to happen again).
On a completely unrelated note (or is it?), Eurogamer also mentions that Nintendo unveiled the actors for the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie. Bo Bragason will be Princess Zelda, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will be Link. Whether this fills you with excitement or existential dread, I'll leave up to you.
But back to the playtest: Is Nintendo genuinely trying to improve Switch Online? Are they testing the waters for something truly revolutionary? Or is this just another exercise in corporate misdirection? Only time will tell. But you know I'll be watching… and probably making sarcastic comments along the way.
Tags: Nintendo Switch Online, Playtest, Nintendo, Switch 2, Legend of Zelda
Original article: Eurogamer