We noted a while back that there was a special “Playtest Program” going on for Nintendo Switch Online and that people could sign up for it if they met specific requirements. Many were curious about what the “nature” of this playtest was, especially since Nintendo was forcing people to sign an NDA before they got to play it. Naturally, as we all know, NDAs are binding legal contracts, so no one would DARE leak out information… Oh, wait, this is the gaming space, so it leaked in record time! Various sources picked it up, including posting it on Twitter for all to see.
Apparently, the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program wasn’t about rumored Nintendo GameCube game ports but about an entirely new potential game that players needed to play together. It focused on them trying to create an expansive world together, not unlike an MMO mixed with a farming simulator. There was even a special “HUB area” where players could hang out and do other things like leveling up and getting items before they head back to the overworld.
The content for the Nintendo Online Playtest Program leaked almost immediately.
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,… pic.twitter.com/ilOY5FpYdN
— Stealth (@Stealth40k) October 21, 2024
For the record, we still don’t know what this fully pertains to, but it’s possible that Nintendo wanted to do this test to work some things out before they possibly do something big with it. For example, it can be used as a baseplate for a Switch 2 title.
