This morning, Nintendo announced the price, launch date, and a game lineup for the upcoming console Switch. While no MMOs were announced yet, could that even be conceivable?
The Nintendo Switch is an interesting console. A handheld that can also function as a regular home console when docked. Players are flexible, can remove the device from the dock, and continue playing on the go. We have already speculated about, whether there could also be MMORPGs on the Switch and today we delve a bit more into this thought.
The performance would allow MMORPGs
The Switch has enough power to run modern games. For example, Bethesda will release The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim for the device. So why not also MMOs?
Many MMOs do not feature AAA graphics for performance reasons – and to reach more players. The Switch could theoretically handle this. A problem arises with the controls and communication with other players. Text chat is still widespread today alongside voice chat via a headset. Voice chat wouldn’t be a problem on the Switch, but typing messages is more difficult with a controller.
The touchpad could help here. A keyboard could be displayed on it, and you can simply type what you want to say. This touchscreen would generally simplify the control of an MMO with many icons, windows, and so on. However, only when using the device as a handheld. When the Switch is docked, the screen is deactivated, and controlling an MMORPG with the regular controllers becomes challenging again. Challenging, but not impossible, as successful console MMOs like The Elder Scrolls Online, Neverwinter or Star Trek Online demonstrate.
Just play an MMO outside
Playing an MMO in the garden in nice weather or simply continuing in the bus or train when you have to be on the move is very appealing. Guild meetups in “real life” where everyone plays with their Switch would also be interesting. It would make discussions simpler, meeting up, and having fun together. However, as the battery lasts only 2.5 to 6.5 hours, it might be a bit challenging for raids. It should also be noted that the online features of the Switch will become paid. Therefore, a multiplayer game played over the internet will cost extra, similar to the Xbox Live subscription.
The question is how MMO players will react to the Switch. Would this really be a console where you could envision MMOs? Being able to continue playing an online RPG on the go is certainly very interesting, but would players use this feature often?
What do you think? Would the Switch be a console for you to play an MMORPG? Even on the go?
