This week, the Switch manufacturer is organizing a major testing session for a new feature, the information of which is being kept secret.
What if Nintendo went where we least expected? This statement generally fits with the idea we have of the manufacturer, which is organizing this week a “playtest” for a new service whose details are kept secret, a week after the announcement of its Alarmo alarm clock.
The selected users, several thousand, had to sign a confidentiality agreement so as not to reveal anything about this new product, the tests of which will begin on October 23. To be eligible, you had to be a subscriber to the Nintendo Switch Online + Additional Pack service, which notably includes access to N64 and Game Boy Advance games.
A metaverse by Nintendo?
But in all likelihood, this new service would ultimately have little to do with video games. On the forum specializing in leaks ResetEra, we discover that it will be a large-scale social experiment.
A world would thus be made available to players and each of them would have a plot of land which they would then have to conquer by creating things and recovering resources: “As you progress on the planet, you will discover new areas, enemies and resources, which will become essential for your epic,” specify the images posted by an Internet user.
These same images were also deleted from the social network
What we learn is that in a plot, a pixel art world would be created with different tools available to imagine what we want. To then make the whole prosper thanks to beacons which, the higher they are placed, the more their effect will be felt. The objective is for a plot to then be completely developed.
“Only you can move, improve or edit an item under the light of your beacon,” it is explained. It is also not possible to interact with another player’s diorama.
The social aspect is organized around a “heart” which will serve as a hub where you will meet other players. You can also increase the level of your character and purchase items allowing you to survive another day. A “DPS” for “Development Positioning System”, will give an overview of your position and the progress of a planet.
Nintendo does not specify the duration of the test but explains that questionnaires will be regularly sent to players to find out their opinion on this new kind of “metaverse”.
