Even more information has leaked out about Nintendo’s secret online Switch game, including references to PvP and mechs.
Not understanding Nintendo is a completely normal state of affairs to be in, but the confusion surrounding their ‘Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program’ is baffling even by their standards.
It was announced earlier this month as being ‘related to a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch system’ and is set to involve up to 10,000 playtesters – all of which are sworn to secrecy.
But, of course, many of them leaked information about the test at the first chance they got and it seems Nintendo had no plan for this eventuality, other than trying to get screenshots and music clips taken down from social media. But, as you would imagine, that’s not working, and even more details have leaked out today.
The test doesn’t even start until Wednesday, October 23 but already it’s been datamined to hell and back, before anyone’s had a chance to play it.
A lot of the leaks are on Bluesky, rather than Twitter, and so far Nintendo hasn’t had them taken down, although we can’t show them here for legal reasons.
What we can tell you is that it has the codename of Rockstock, but an actual final name still isn’t evident. It seems to have been developed by Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) Production Group No. 4, which has previously been responsible for 1-2-Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, Nintendo Switch Sports, and the recently announced Alarmo.
Judging by the files and references in the programming code, which is how most Fortnite leaks work, the game seems to have a focus on PvP (player vs. player) competitive action – even though the initial leaks of the help screens suggested you’re co-operating with other players to build an entire planet.
The game also seems to include a character creator, various mini-games, and mechs, amongst other things, which once again suggests a very ambitious and large-scale game.
Releasing such a thing when the Switch is entering what is inevitably its last Christmas as Nintendo’s primary format is extremely strange and implies that whatever the game is, it will also be released for the Switch 2.
What seems to be the entire soundtrack has also been leaked on Bluesky, featuring a number of tunes that are reminiscent of a more laidback Splatoon style, with what we’re going to guess is an alien warbling in the background.
If people are going to be playing the game tomorrow you can guarantee the internet will be flooded by videos of the game in action and there’s not going to be anything Nintendo can do to stop it.
They should know that’s going to happen, but if they’ve got any plans to anticipate the problem with an official reveal, they’ve certainly not hinted at it so far.
Not only is the game a mystery, but so too is how it relates to the Switch 2 and its unveiling, which Nintendo has previously said will take place before April next year.
Many leakers have claimed the reveal will happen this year but with October trickling away that’s beginning to seem less and less likely.
Does Nintendo have a plan for stopping these leaks? (Nintendo)