Voice chat systems are becoming a pretty default feature when it comes to online gaming platforms, but with the Nintendo Switch, the company has opted to go with a different and slightly controversial option, and that is to use a mobile app to facilitate voice chatting during online play.
This is versus more traditional methods where gamers can just plug a headset into their console or pair it with Bluetooth and chat away. Nintendo’s reasoning behind this is because of the Switch’s portable nature, which means that it would be easier to use your phone than pack a pair of headphones. We’re not sure how this will work out, but we won’t have to wait much longer to find out as the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app will be debuting on the 21st of July.
The app will be launching alongside Splatoon 2 (which has a rather convoluted way of setting up a headset connection) and will allow gamers to access private lobbies, voice chat, stat tracking, and more. Splatoon 2 will also be the first game that is supported by the app, but presumably it should be expanded to cover more games in the future.
This online app will eventually be part of Nintendo’s new online gaming service for the Switch that will be launching next year for a price of $20 a year.
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