Nintendo Talks Voice Chat, Online Approach for Switch

Miiverse and StreetPass aren't coming to Switch.

By Jose Otero and Alex Osborn

Nintendo Switch will mark a fresh start for Nintendo's approach to online, and as such, the console won't support Miiverse or StreetPass.

"We need to offer, both to consumers well as to developers, a more robust set of opportunities from an online perspective and that's what we're looking to do," Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told IGN.

When asked why voice chat for Nintendo Switch will be tied to a mobile app, Reggie said, "we want to reinforce the capability to take your experience with you on the go.... The ability to do matchmaking, voice chat through your phone, it's a hell of a lot more convenient than having a gamer headset stuck into your backpack trying to do that. That's why we're doing it the way we are. We see the convenience, we see the ease of delivery. We think it's going to lead to a better experience."

In addition, GamesBeat spoke to Nintendo of America assistant manager of public relations David Young about the future of Miiverse and StreetPass, and Young confirmed Nintendo's upcoming console won't support either. "I can answer that we’re not going to be using Miiverse for Nintendo Switch," he said.

With regard to why Switch won't have StreetPass support—a feature that allows 3DS users to exchange game information when passing others with the handheld—Young highlighted the fact that Switch is first and foremost home console, despite also supporting portable play.

Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on March 3, 2017 for $299.99 USD and 29,980 yen. For more on the upcoming console, find out what Nintendo had to say about Switch's online service, as well as the console's battery life.

Alex Osborn is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his video content on YouTube.

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