Earlier this month, Nintendo set the internet abuzz with speculation over a mysterious "Playtest Program" for the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo was recruiting people with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to participate in this mysterious test, but did not provide any additional details.
The playtest period is set to begin on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, and with just a few days to go, it seems that Nintendo has shared some details about the program with those who have been invited. Naturally, some of these details have leaked online.
X/Twitter user @Ethan_ThisGuy shared several images of the playtest's contents, confirming that the program is a test for a new online game for the Switch. Although the images have been removed due to a DMCA from Nintendo, the details have already been shared.
According to the leaked content, the playtest program is for an online co-op game in which players work together "to fully “develop” a massive, expansive planet by utilising creativity and farmed resources."
"As you progress across the planet, you’ll discover new lands, enemies, and resources that will become essential in your journey," the description continues. “Throughout your adventure, players will be granted special tools known as Beacons. These Beacons emit a heating light that purifies and developers 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 this process until their current Planetary Block is considered fully developed."
There's also mention of a "Dev Core," a separate space from the planet you're developing that Nintendo likens to a "social hub to gather with other players." This is the area where you'll level up your character, get items you'll need for your journey, and commune with others, among other things.
Mirrors of the original leaked documents are easy enough to find online. But with the playtest kicking off this week, it probably won't be long now before Nintendo makes some sort of official announcement that properly reveals this new game. Based on what we've seen so far, it looks to be a mostly casual co-operative game with cartoonish graphics.
According to the official website, the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program will begin on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00 p.m. PDT. It is scheduled to run until Tuesday, November 5th at 4:49 p.m. PST. Presumably this playtest will have an NDA for those who were accepted, but hopefully Nintendo doesn't wait too long to give us the full details on this new and intriguing game.