Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Is a Community Game With Which Nintendo Tests Server Boundaries for Mass Multiplayer

When the Nintendo Switch Online playtest was first announced on October 10, fans were extremely curious of what it could be all about. Today, the playtest became available for download to the users who had been selected ahead of the test actually going live on October 23. Alongside the download, users were also provided with plenty of information on the mysterious Nintendo Switch Online playtest, and those details have just leaked.

As it turns out, this is a community game about connections with which Nintendo seeks to ‘test the boundaries of mass multiplayer functionality and gameplay’ on its servers. Here’s the Nintendo Switch Online playtest overview:

In this game, the goal is to work with others to fully “develop” a massive, expansive planet by utilizing creativity and farmed resources. As you progress across the planet, you’ll discover new lands, enemies, and resources that will become essential to your journey.

Throughout your adventure, players will be granted special tools known as Beacons. These Beacons emit a healing light that purifies and develops the land. The higher your Beacon is placed, the wider its Beacon Zone becomes. Within your Beacon Zone, your best work can be done. Players will repeat the process until their current Planetary Block is considered fully developed.

The Beacons players receive will be their most valuable tool. You are the master of your Beacon Zone. Only you can move, lift, or edit items within your Beacon’s light. Just as others cannot edit things within your Beacon Zone, you cannot edit things in someone else’s Beacon Zone. Places outside of Beacon Zones are public areas that anyone can work in. In public areas, anyone can pick up things, place them, and edit them. To protect your builds and precious items, you’ll want to store them inside your Beacon Zone for safekeeping.

The Dev Core is a separate space from the planet you’ll be developing. Think of it as a social hub to gather with other players. At the Dev Core, you can level up your character, get items you will need for your journey, commune with others, and more. Players earn Connex Points by interacting with other players in a variety of ways. Players can use Connex Points in the Dev Core to raise their Connection Level. By increasing your Connection Level, players will have access to fun community-related items. 

Every player is equipped with a special skill known as the Development Positioning System, or DPS. This allows players to see a wide array of details, including the development status of the planet and the positions of other players. With the DPS’s spectate feature, players can see Beacons and other players from great distances.

The Nintendo Switch Online playtest is certainly not what we thought it would be. All the same, it’s an interesting endeavor for Nintendo, and if it really helps them push the server boundaries for multiplayer, all the better. Stay tuned for any more leaks and info on it.