Nintendo Switch Online is launching a closed playtest program of a new Massive Multiplayer Online game that lets developers build an entire planet.
Nintendo Switch Online Playtest was announced last month without much detail about the program's actual purpose. Over the week, various participants of the Nintendo Playtest program shared discoveries indicating a new online game that lets users build a massive, expansive planet is in the making.
Last month, the program was opened only for active Switch Online members with the Switch Online Expansion Pack add-on. Active is the keyword that creates the main eligibility criteria for 10,000 slots available in the Nintendo Playtest program. The timing of the application was also kept minimal as the cutoff for being eligible was 6 PM Eastern on October 9, 2024.
The company posted the official announcement on its Nintendo Of America profile on X, “We will perform a test called Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program related to a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch system,” Nintendo said in the announcement. “Customers will need to download exclusive software to their own Nintendo Switch system in order to participate.”
Gamers who are aware of the legendary MMO game Minecraft world will understand how big the game in testing can actually be. The recruitment period ran from October 10, 2024, through October 15, 2024. The playtest will last ten days, from October 23, 2024, until November 5, 2024.
One of the participants shared the official images of the game environment and features on the X platform. His post mentioned, “The goal is to work with others to fully ‘develop’ a massive, expansive planet by utilizing creativity and framed resources.” New lands, enemies, and resources will appear while players progress across the planet. One core part of the experience are Beacons, which “emit a healing light that purifies and develops the land.”
Preloads of the tested MMO games have started for a few lucky Switch Online members. After downloading, a comprehensive FAQ section opens up, revealing critical information about the game under development. One of the FAQ answers stated, “Discover new lands, enemies, and resources that will become essential to your journey.” Sounds pretty similar to Minecraft? Well, this is your second chance to make a world of your own without getting overwhelmed by the otherworldly builds already done on the current popular cross-platform game Minecraft.
