Rumor: Nintendo Online Service possibly delayed until Fall 2018

Also from WCCFTech

Nintendo Switch Online, the paid online service for Nintendo’s hybrid console, was originally meant to launch in Fall 2017 after the trial became available with Splatoon 2. However, we haven’t heard about it in a long time and for good reason.

As you can read below, on the Italian website it is now explained that the paid subscription service will be available in Fall (Autumn) 2018. That’s a pretty huge delay and one has to wonder whether Nintendo is simply having infrastructure issues or perhaps there will be new features to entice players to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online. As a reminder, we’ve included below the official feature list confirmed by Nintendo at the time.

Of course, availability could vary between territories though it would be quite weird in this day and age where services and even games launch day and date globally.

Not surprised, my grandmother understands the internet better than Nintendo.

well,

this is good news for all the people who want it to be free. bad news for people that wanted a lot of improvements.

maybe if there is a direct this week or next then at least detail what the service is to get hyped for Fall.

Shocking.

At this point, Nintendo should just stick to single player games. Nobody buys their consoles for online experiences.

I don’t plan on playing Nintendo online until there next gen console (Nintendo 8) or whatever they decide to call it.

By then Nintendo should have a better idea of how they want to implement it. Not add some half assed online in the middle of the Switch generation.

The only Nintendo games with any kind of online potential are Mario Kart and Pokemon. I'm really not sure why they even need a robust online system.

good, delay it for as long as possible

@UssjTrunks: perhaps nobody buys a Switch FOR their online (I wouldnt), but experiences like MK8 and Splatoon online are very good and actually kind of core aspects of the games. I'm not sure why you'd dismiss such a service that adds a lot to many of their games

Doesn't really matter to me, because I wasn't gonna pay Nintendo's online when I hardly ever play Nintendo MP games to begin with. (And don't give me that Splatoon 2 just because I happen to play it more so)

See my thread on this subject.

https://www.gamespot.com/forums/system-wars-314159282/a-grim-reminder-that-in-2018-the-switchs-online-wi-33420806/?page=1

Nintendo should go back to the drawing board and rethink the Online Strategy for Switch.

At this point they should just scrap it.

Why implement a paid supscription service to a console that's been FREE for the past 10 months already?

consumers already got use to it being free - you're just going to upset them when they find out they have to start paying for it now, all of a sudden.

It sounds like shit, keep delaying it.

Great news. I like to play online for no extra cost.

No complaints here...

Hmm. Not really sure what to think of this. On one hand I guess it’s nice to keep playing online for free for a little longer however on the other hand I am looking forward to seeing what improvements Nintendo will have when they start charging for it. Nintendo has been moving into the online space quite a bit more it seems with Splatoon and ARMS. They’ve also had strong online components in previous games like Mario Kart, Smash Bros., Animal Crossing, and Pokemon.

Hmmm, not a good sign... I guess if it's not ready, then they have no choice.

they are still trying to figure out racial slurs, pepophiles trolling and screaming kids, which they wont...lolz

So, when you giving me your FC?

I dont have one, unless you are talking about 3DS, then its some random long, meaningless, steril number that holds no personal value or desire.

Shame on you for rejecting your wife's gift to you! Also, did you get my skype message?

I have replied to all of them I think. Your attempt to make me desire/miss the Switch is funny. My local Best Buy literally has a pallet display of them on their floor. I dont want Mario and barley want Zelda. Mario Kart is a rehash with some extras, dont want/over it.

Maybe when a NEW Mario Kart and Metroid Prime come out I'll think about getting it. Certainly the weak hardware and afterthought of console and online makes it hard even then.

You're missing out big time, also, how about my brother?

They can keep delaying it forever. Nintendo is in no position to charge for their mediocre online services.

It doesn't need to show its face until Nintendo figures out how modern online gaming works.

Sweet. I like free.

I mean honestly whe they said "2018" they didn't say the top of the year. SO if it means that in the fall of 2018 when it launhces then the fall of 2018 is still part of the plan. Its not delayed if that was the plan in the first place.

Again I am proven right. People were previously acting like Nintendo were being altruistic in not charging for online, but they were not. They just were not up to the pace of the others.

Probably getting a switch soon, because with this console Nintendo listened to me somewhat. Or at least, listened to people like me.

This guy wont be happy with the delay though: Nintendo are going to make him wait for "the online". LOL.

A paid online service goes well beyond merely playing games and Nintendo has not come to reality with the concept. The company should really take some cues from Microsoft in that dept.

its all about Zelda

I don't mind that

So this means one more year of free online? I guess I can live with it.

I wonder if this has something to do with the virtual console. I say this because apparently the "rewards" for the subscription are tied with VC and that is taking forever too. I don't know but really don't care that much either. I just wish they hadn't killed Miiverse, by far the best online community service.

Erm, because its online platform as a service? That was announced from the very beginning?

It's not tied to hardware. It is no different to what Sony did "We will never charge for online" followed by "Oh we are not putting DRM on our games like MS, but we are charging you monthly now anyway! PRAISE US!"

What the heck... this surely means all my gold coin points will expire before they implement a Switch reward scheme lol. :( Bit of a bummer this is.

Since this is a rumor, I will believe it once Nintendo makes it official.